Maryam slams Gandapur for using ‘filthy language’

FAISALABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz criticised Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday, saying he was in the habit of using filthy language against his opponents, including her.

However, she warned him of harsh response if he would attempt to break the law in Punjab, as the province was operating in accordance with the law.

Addressing a ceremony in Faisalabad, Maryam said Gandapur would throw phrases at her and speak meaningless phrases. What is he teaching the nation? she asked the KP CM. “If a chief minister invades another province, comes with an army and himself waves AK-47, and breaks the windows of a car, what is the lesson being taught to people,” she questioned.

Maryam regretted that the people of Punjab were being turned into terrorists, but she would not allow it to happen.

Earlier, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz officially launched the agriculture internship programme at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, on Wednesday by distributing internship letters among agriculture graduates and interns.

She said the government had received over 5,000 applications, but only 1,000 internships could be offered. All selected candidates are under the age of 25, with 25pc of them being women.

Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the government was preparing the largest farmer support package in Punjab’s history, aiming to address the injustices faced by farmers. She stressed that a prosperous Punjab was reliant on the prosperity of its farmers.

“Our goal is to make essential commodities more affordable for the poor,” she said, noting her daily involvement in reviewing food prices. She mentioned that the prices of flour, sugar, vegetables and fruits have been reduced, and inflation in Punjab is consistently declining.

She also praised Aashiq Kirmani for launching the programme within just six months. Each intern will receive a monthly stipend of Rs60,000.

The CM mentioned that Punjab had begun operations for children with heart conditions, many of whom had travelled from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to a lack of medical facilities in the province. She urged the KP government to prioritise welfare of its people instead of resorting to violence and divisive politics.

Meanwhile, the Punjab CM presided over a meeting at commissioner’s office in Faisalabad. The meeting agreed on a proposal to build Pakistan’s second IT city and safari park in Faisalabad after Lahore. “The next IT city and international standard safari park will be built in Faisalabad. A metro bus project will be built in Faisalabad city from next year.”

Later, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) President Nawaz Sharif, along with CM Maryam Nawaz, met Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong to review the possibilities of promoting ties in technology, business and investment. “Together with China, we can create economic miracles. We are always ready to welcome our Chinese friends in Punjab,” she said.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said China too greatly valued its friendship with Pakistan and had made great strides under the PMLN governments. He said they would welcome the inclusion of Punjab in the upgraded vision of CPEC, which also included development of Special Economic Zones. China was keen on investing in the agriculture sector in Punjab. He invited CM Maryam Nawaz to visit China, which she accepted.

Peshawar Bureau adds: Reacting to the statement of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said on Wednesday that holding public meetings in Punjab was their democratic and constitutional right.

“If holding a public meeting is terrorism, then we will do it repeatedly,” said Barrister Saif, who is also the spokesperson for the KP government, in response to a speech delivered by the Punjab chief minister wherein she warned her KP counterpart of strict action if he violated the law next time in Punjab.

Barrister Saif said opening fire on peaceful protesters in Model Town in Lahore in the past was terrorism, not organising a public meeting by a major political party.

He said a criminal of Model Town had no right to label other law-abiding citizens as terrorists, adding that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was constantly getting on the nerves of Maryam Nawaz. She advised Maryam to get ready as Ali Amin Gandapur was reaching Punjab again and he did not care about fake cases. He accused Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leaders of breaking all records of fascism but still calling other terrorists.