Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has urged critics to play a constructive role in helping flood-affected communities instead of only pointing fingers. Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of PDMA volunteers and the launch of a damage survey campaign, she emphasized that those serving humanity are counted among Allah’s closest friends and deserve recognition. She stressed that criticism alone cannot heal wounds, but collective action can ease the suffering of victims.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that unprecedented rainfall across Punjab severely impacted areas near the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers, leaving 25 cities devastated. She assured the public that PDMA volunteers, who pledged not to abandon victims, would stand by them until recovery is complete. Every affected family, she pledged, would be compensated for its losses. Moreover, she praised volunteers for their tireless efforts in ensuring aid reached even those stranded in remote, cut-off areas through boats and other means.
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The chief minister strongly defended her administration’s flood response, saying Punjab had rescued 2.5 million people while providing three meals daily to displaced families, treating them as honored guests. She pointed out that such achievements were possible due to the governance model of her party, which ensured that development and relief work continued side by side, even during unprecedented disasters. She stressed that Punjab’s relief operations stand out nationally for their scale and efficiency.
Furthermore, Maryam Nawaz lauded the contributions of her cabinet colleagues, singling out Marriyum Aurangzeb for working tirelessly for 18 straight hours in flood-hit regions. She said that such dedication reflects the spirit of service that must define leadership in times of crisis. In her remarks, she reminded critics that constructive contributions would mean more to affected families than unproductive commentary, urging everyone to join hands in rebuilding lives and livelihoods.
In addition to discussing relief measures, the chief minister announced the reopening of the historic Baoli (stepwell) at Rohtas Fort as part of the “Beautiful Punjab Vision.” She described it as a rare heritage site revitalized for public access, symbolizing resilience and cultural pride despite recent hardships. By combining relief with development and heritage preservation, she projected a vision of Punjab that is both forward-looking and rooted in compassion.
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Maryam Nawaz concluded by stressing that the floods were among the most severe in Pakistan’s history, but they also revealed the strength of unity and service. She called on critics, civil society, and political opponents to contribute practically to relief measures, underlining that the nation’s progress depends on shared responsibility in the face of challenges.