No Apologies: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Pushes Back Against Critics

Lahore-(Asif Iqbal)-Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday firmly rejected demands for an apology over her recent remarks directed at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of the PML-N in the federal coalition.

The political rift, which initially erupted over the distribution of flood relief through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), has deepened following the Punjab CM’s comments at a Faisalabad event. Maryam brushed aside PPP’s reservations regarding the controversial canal project on the Indus River. While the PPP has consistently pressed for flood compensation to be disbursed via BISP, the Punjab government has refused to accept the proposal.

On Tuesday, PPP’s lawmakers walked out of both the Senate and the National Assembly sessions to protest remarks made by the Punjab CM on the canals and her comments about PPP leaders’ reactions to her government’s performance during the floods.

Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, CM Maryam said she would respond whenever Punjab was attacked. She added: “As chief minister, if I don’t speak for Punjab, then who will?”

Her remarks came a day after National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reportedly managed to persuade the PML-N and the PPP to end public criticism against each other, The News reported.

Addressing the event, the Punjab CM said that during the floods, she was lectured to seek international aid, but she would never ask her people to beg with a bowl in hand, nor would she allow their dignity to be compromised.

Referring to the May 9 events, CM Maryam said that whoever encourages you to burn and surround is your “biggest enemy”.

Without naming incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, she said: “On May 9, children were asked to attack the country, but their own children are sitting outside.”

Highlighting her government’s performance, she said: “I have put a full stop to favouritism and rigging.”

Examination centres in Punjab were not sold now, she added.

The Punjab CM said that she is accountable to Allah Almighty and then to the people of Punjab. Earlier,

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday announced a wide range of education and social reforms while addressing a ceremony in honor of matric and intermediate position-holders from all nine educational boards of Punjab.

She pledged to bear the educational expenses of top students and provide them laptops, alongside establishing Centers of Excellence across the province and creating 6,000 STEM labs to strengthen science and technology learning. The CM also unveiled initiatives including a school transport programme, free uniforms for government school students, sports competitions in every institution, and improved basic facilities like classrooms, toilets, and clean water.

Maryam announced 80,000 merit scholarships for talented students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, saying education was “the greatest equalizer.” She stressed the need for technology-driven learning and encouraged students to master English for global competitiveness.

Highlighting governance reforms, she vowed strict merit-based appointments and rejected recommendation culture, declaring contracts awarded on favoritism cancelled. She also announced the establishment of a dedicated “CCD” unit to tackle harassment and crime, citing improved security across several districts.

The CM revealed Rs. 80 billion had been allocated for school upgrades and Rs. 9 billion for a school meal programme benefiting one million students. She also pointed to new projects such as electric buses in smaller cities, early childhood centers, and advanced IT labs teaching robotics and AI.

Maryam Nawaz reiterated her government’s commitment to empowering women, safeguarding dignity, and preparing Punjab’s youth to compete globally.