Maryam Nawaz accuses PPP of politics over floods

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for “doing politics” on the floods in Punjab, despite being an ally at the federal level.

Speaking at the inauguration of the electric bus project in Dera Ghazi Khan, she said that giving Rs10,000 under the “Benazir Income Support Program (BISP)” was not enough to help flood victims rebuild their lives. She regretted that the PPP, while being a coalition partner, had politicized the issue. Without naming Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, she rejected his suggestion that Pakistan should appeal for international aid.

Maryam Nawaz said, as the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, she would not beg before the world for money. “How can a self-respecting person ask for such help?” she questioned. She added that each affected family should get at least Rs1 million instead of the small BISP amount.

She also told Bilawal, without naming him directly, to “keep your advice to yourself,” saying Punjab could handle the situation on its own. She further asked why money from the “National Finance Commission (NFC)” was not being used for the people if not for disaster relief. Warning against criticism, she declared, “If any finger is raised against the province, I will break it.”

Maryam highlighted that South Punjab was no longer neglected, as equal development was being provided across the province. She noted that tents, food, and rations were distributed in flood-hit areas and ministers worked hard during the crisis. She also clarified that she had not asked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for funds nor diverted any federal aid.

The chief minister added that ration cards were only being given to hardworking families struggling with expenses, not to those depending on monthly stipends without effort.

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