Azma Bokhari says Maryam Nawaz's remarks were misinterpreted, rejects criticism

Responding to criticism surrounding the chief minister’s statement, Bukhari said Maryam Nawaz had stressed that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of provincial governments. She questioned how the statement could be interpreted as an insult to Pashtuns.

“How did Maryam Nawaz’s statement insult Pashtuns?” Bokhari asked, arguing that denying people access to education, healthcare and development should instead be considered a failure towards them. The Punjab information minister said Pakistan had achieved a major success in “Marka-e-Haq,” adding that the country’s armed forces had demonstrated their capabilities.

Turning her criticism towards the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Bukhari accused Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of using government resources for political activities. She alleged that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources were being used for what she described as politics of agitation rather than addressing problems facing the province.

Bokhari also criticised the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and alleged that the provincial government was not taking adequate measures against terrorism. She said Maryam Nawaz wanted peace not only in Punjab but also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The provincial information minister also questioned Afridi’s demand for an apology over Maryam Nawaz’s remarks, asking on what grounds the KP chief minister was seeking one. Bokhari further questioned how much time Afridi had spent in his province while serving as chief minister, continuing her criticism of his political activities.

Her comments come amid a political exchange between the Punjab government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leadership over Maryam Nawaz’s remarks and their interpretation.