Lahore, October 2, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday firmly rejected demands for an apology over her recent outburst against the PPP, a key coalition partner of the PML-N at the Centre.
The rift between the two parties — triggered by disagreements over flood compensation through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) — deepened after CM Maryam, at a Faisalabad event, dismissed PPP’s objections to the controversial Indus River canal project. The Punjab government has opposed routing flood relief through BISP, a demand repeatedly voiced by the PPP.
On Tuesday, PPP lawmakers staged walkouts in both the Senate and the National Assembly, protesting the Punjab CM’s remarks on flood management and canals. Their protest came despite efforts by NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to cool tempers and discourage public criticism between the coalition partners.
Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, Maryam defended her stance, saying she would always speak up for Punjab when attacked. “As chief minister, if I don’t speak for Punjab, then who will?” she asked. Rejecting criticism of her flood response, she said she would not ask her people to “beg with a bowl in hand,” adding that she would not compromise their dignity.
Referring to the May 9 riots, the CM said those who incited violence were the nation’s “biggest enemies.” Without naming PTI founder Imran Khan, she remarked: “On May 9, children were asked to attack the country, but their own children are sitting abroad.”
Highlighting her government’s reforms, Maryam said she had ended “favouritism and rigging,” adding that examination centres in Punjab were no longer being sold. She stressed her accountability was first to Allah Almighty and then to the people of Punjab.
