Chaudhry Salik Stands Firm on Punjab Corruption Allegations

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain has reiterated his allegations regarding corruption in Punjab, saying he stands by his earlier remarks and will respond comprehensively after receiving a legal notice from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Chaudhry Salik said he had not yet received any legal notice from the chief minister. However, he maintained that he would submit a detailed response once the notice was served.

He also pointed out that Maryam Nawaz herself had acknowledged the existence of corruption in Punjab just two days earlier.

The controversy emerged after Maryam Nawaz announced legal action against Chaudhry Salik over his remarks concerning alleged corruption in the province.

Questioning his position, the Punjab chief minister asked why he continued serving as a federal minister if he believed the government was corrupt. She maintained that appointments in Punjab were being made on merit and criticised the practice of securing government positions through political recommendations.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described Chaudhry Salik’s statement about corruption in Punjab as difficult to understand, while expressing his personal respect for the federal minister and his family.

Khawaja Asif said corruption was one of the biggest challenges facing Pakistani society and that eliminating the menace was a collective responsibility of the country’s political leadership.

He also questioned the political context behind Chaudhry Salik’s allegations, noting that he was part of both the federal and provincial governments led by the PML-N.

Khawaja Asif suggested that if the remarks were part of a future political strategy or an attempt to establish a separate political position by criticising Maryam Nawaz’s administration, the motive could be understood.

Separately, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari demanded that Chaudhry Salik either present evidence to substantiate his corruption allegations or apologise.

Reacting to his remarks, Uzma Bukhari said a federal minister and member of the government should not make accusations without providing credible evidence. She urged him to respond to the legal notice issued by the Punjab chief minister.

She further alleged that Chaudhry Salik had previously acknowledged recommending the appointment of Gujrat Deputy Commissioner but had now changed his position.

Uzma Bukhari maintained that he could not continue enjoying the privileges of government office while simultaneously making allegations against the administration.

She also claimed that Chaudhry Salik’s own brother had rejected his allegations, adding that he must now provide an explanation rather than changing his stance.

Defending the Punjab government’s performance, Uzma Bukhari said Maryam Nawaz had initiated and completed development projects worth trillions of rupees during the past two years. She further claimed that no critic had produced evidence of corruption against the chief minister.