Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has strongly condemned what she described as an unethical and malicious social media campaign being run against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
In a video statement issued on Thursday, Azma Bokhari said the smear drive is being orchestrated by the “Fitna Party’s” social media brigade, with the involvement of certain absconding YouTubers who claim to be journalists. She expressed regret that some members of the journalist community consider such individuals as journalists, adding that these campaigns are a stain on the profession.
The minister said that whenever action is taken against these so-called journalists, it is portrayed as political victimization and an attempt to suppress freedom of expression. In reality, she maintained, the campaign is being operated through multiple social media accounts, including those run in the Names of women.
Azma Bokhari stated that the smear campaign against Maryam Nawaz Sharif has been ongoing since 2014 and raises serious questions about the professional standards of those involved. She emphasized that responsible journalists cannot share such content from their accounts and regretted that no effective action was taken by television channels in this regard.
She said, “We also have much to say, but as political leaders, we confine ourselves to political discourse.” She added that a negative campaign was also launched against the chief minister regarding the use of an official aircraft, but such tactics cannot undermine a leadership committed to public service.
Highlighting the Punjab government’s performance, Azma Bokhari referred to several welfare initiatives, including the Ramazan Package, introduction of electric buses, interest-free business loans under the Asaan Karobar program, the Dhee Rani program, employment opportunities under Suthra Punjab, the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing initiative, a Rs200 billion post-flood relief package, and Rs10 billion in assistance for the people of Balochistan.
She concluded that the malicious campaign has failed to harm Maryam Nawaz Sharif and has instead exposed the true face of certain elements operating on social media. The minister urged the public not to be influenced by unethical propaganda and to stand by truth and responsible discourse.