Governments should be allowed to complete their terms, says CM Maryam
Governments should be allowed to complete their terms, says CM Maryam
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Thursday that governments which perform well should be allowed to complete their terms, arguing that the absence of policy continuity remains one of the biggest hurdles to Pakistan’s development.
She was addressing a delegation of the National Command Authority Senior Officers Leadership Course, according to an official handout, and stressed that national policies had to outlast changes of government.
Why Maryam says governments must complete their terms
The chief minister said Pakistan’s “excellent image and new face” had emerged before the world during the recent conflict with India, adding that the army and other security institutions were rendering invaluable services for the country’s defence. She said good governance and performance were essential to tackling internal security threats.
“We are Pakistanis first, regardless of whether we belong to Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan or Gilgit,” she said, stressing the need for continuity in national policies. She credited the PML-N’s extended periods in government in Punjab with ensuring policy continuity and better governance.
Security claims: no no-go areas, 140 million people
She claimed terrorism had been brought under control in Punjab, though she acknowledged the threat had not disappeared. The province once had around 70 areas regarded as “no-go areas”, she said, but claimed no such area existed now.
“I am responsible for the safety of 140 million people, so I had to take decisions that had not been taken before,” she said.
Listing her administration’s steps, she said the government had strengthened security infrastructure, particularly in border areas, through fortified posts, weapons and night-vision cameras, along with round-the-clock surveillance to detect terrorist activity. She also pointed to separate groups for administration and law and order, special attention to crimes against women and children, and virtual police stations for women unable to visit police stations, particularly victims of domestic violence.
“Protecting myself or protecting the people”
Responding to criticism of her government, she said there had been occasions when she had to choose between “protecting myself or protecting the people”, adding that she had always prioritised the public. She said she had no personal grievances against anyone and did not seek credit for herself.
“I ensure 100 per cent merit in Punjab, and neither accept recommendations nor do people now approach me with recommendations,” she said.
She said the government had dismissed around 1,000 police and revenue officials as part of anti-corruption measures, claiming that sustained action had created a fear of the law among officials who demand or accept bribes.
Azma Bokhari: policies should outlast governments
In a subsequent statement, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said CM Maryam’s “clear stance is that governments may change, but the national vision and policies aimed at public welfare should not change”. The country’s development was a shared responsibility, not of any single province, government or party, she said. “Policies formulated for the country’s development and public welfare should not be sacrificed to political changes,” she added, warning that “Pakistan needs a consistent national vision and continuity of policies instead of short-term political agendas.”
What happens next
The chief minister’s remarks come as the government and the opposition hold talks to defuse the political crisis, and days before a PTI march planned from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 4.
Frequently asked questions
What did Maryam Nawaz say about governments completing their terms?
She said governments that perform well should be allowed to complete their five-year terms, arguing that the lack of policy continuity is a major hurdle to Pakistan’s development.
Who was she addressing?
A delegation of the National Command Authority Senior Officers Leadership Course in Lahore on Thursday, according to an official handout.
What did Azma Bokhari add?
The Punjab information minister said governments may change, but the national vision and public-welfare policies should not, warning that policies “should not be sacrificed to political changes”.
What security claims did the chief minister make?
She claimed terrorism had been brought under control in Punjab, said no “no-go areas” remained in the province, and pointed to fortified border posts, night-vision cameras and round-the-clock surveillance.
