Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that defending Punjab’s rights and presenting its case is their responsibility – and they will fulfil this duty. She clarified that while the government respects all allied parties, the response will mirror the tone of their statements.
Azma Bokhari announced that the Punjab Cabinet has approved tax exemptions for flood-affected areas to provide maximum relief to the public. She demanded that the Pakistan Peoples Party explain why it held 34 press conferences in just three weeks on Punjab’s internal matters.
She added that the Punjab government’s numerous public welfare projects have clearly unsettled some people. “Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is distributing laptops, launching bus services, and inaugurating welfare initiatives – and that seems to bother a few,” Bokhari remarked. She said that critics are attempting to cover their own weaknesses by levelling baseless criticism against Punjab’s development projects.
She said that during the provincial cabinet meeting, officials were given a detailed briefing on the largest flood in recent history. Bokhari stated that despite a surge in three rivers and 39% higher rainfall, Punjab avoided major damage thanks to timely government preparations. Over 4.7 million people were affected, but thankfully, no lives were lost to snake bites. Compared to the 2010 floods, the death toll was halved due to strong arrangements in 25 districts.
Expressing regret, she said Punjab has always played the role of an elder brother, yet when Punjab faced a crisis, others resorted to political point-scoring, which is condemnable.
Bokhari announced a PKR 15,000 salary increase for civil defence personnel, the launch of flood drills in 17 tehsils, and directives for residents in flood belts to relocate to safer areas to prevent future losses.
She emphasized that Punjab’s people want relief, not politics, and the government is providing it. She also accepted Sharjeel Inam Memon’s debate challenge, saying: “Show your 17 years of performance, and I’ll show our two years. Visit South Punjab – Multan, Lodhran, Rahim Yar Khan – and see the development yourself.”
Bokhari criticized those who constantly resort to emotional slogans: “Those shouting ‘Marsoon Marsoon’ should look at their own backyard first. When cloudburst hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we extended help, but Punjab’s floods were turned into a political joke. That’s unfortunate.”
She made it clear: “We didn’t start this, but if Punjab faces 34 attacks, we won’t turn the other cheek. Punjab is not without defenders.” She highlighted that all development projects are funded through provincial resources without a single rupee from the federal government.
“No other province will dictate what happens in Punjab. If every province sticks to its domain, there won’t be any issues,” she said, urging media anchors to visit Karachi and Lahore to see the difference for themselves.
She added that when Sindh’s information minister visited Punjab, it was expected he would talk about solar energy, sanitation, or public service. “Instead, he came under pressure from the performance of the Maryam Nawaz-led government,” she said.
Azma Bokhari concluded by emphasizing that Punjab has always promoted national unity, but when the province is unfairly attacked, it will respond firmly. “Our performance is our real answer,” she asserted.