Top-Level Corruption No Longer Possible in Punjab: Maryam Nawaz

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that corruption may not be completely under control at the lower levels, but it is not possible at the top level now.

Maryam Nawaz addressed participants of the 27th National Defence Security Workshop, asserting that merit will not be compromised in Punjab, and all recruitments have been made strictly on merit, without any political interference. She stated, “If anyone can prove I recommended a single person, I will resign.”

While acknowledging that corruption at lower administrative levels might not be fully eradicated, she emphasized that top-tier corruption is no longer possible under her administration. Nawaz highlighted that “trillions of rupees worth of projects” are currently operational in the province without any complaints of corruption.

He said that a lot has been done in Punjab and a lot is being done. Even the wife of the journalist who criticized us is forced to say that she feels safe in Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz said that vulgar words were said about me in rallies, and I was put in jail for standing with my father, but today there is a retribution. They knew that if they were not overthrown, we would not have a place. The standard of political ethics should be set; if they have made accusations, they should prove them. They will respond to the abuse and accusations with a performance narrative.

The Punjab Chief Minister further said that problems are faced due to unfair distribution of resources, lack of accountability leads to zero performance in the public sector, and good governance is not possible without a sense of accountability and responsibility.

He said that work cannot be done through fear and anger, positive cooperation was received from the bureaucracy, blaming the failures on the bureaucracy or others is not my style, and Punjab will be corruption-free in 5 years.

Maryam Nawaz said that if there is a fear of not getting votes, no good work can be done. People were also angry when encroachments were removed. They used to say that when a daughter comes, the house shines. We have started the world’s largest waste management program.