Marriyum Aurangzeb Backs Maryam Nawaz Amid Controversy Over Remarks and Jet Use

In a spirited defense, Punjab's Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has rallied behind Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who is facing backlash for her recent comments regarding terrorism threats and her use of a government jet for personal travel.

Speaking on Saturday, Aurangzeb emphasized that the crux of the criticism isn't about the jet or Nawaz's statements, but rather her growing influence and performance as a leader. "The real issue is with Maryam Nawaz's performance and her rising popularity," she remarked in a post on X.

Maryam Nawaz had recently traveled to London to attend her daughter Mahnoor’s graduation ceremony, returning to Lahore on Wednesday. The Punjab government has stated that the Chief Minister covered all expenses related to the trip.

Controversial Remarks Spark Political Fallout

The controversy intensified following Maryam's comments suggesting that Punjab faces a more significant security threat from neighboring provinces than from bordering countries. These remarks were met with severe criticism, resulting in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passing a resolution calling for action against her under Article 6 of the Constitution.

Response to Derogatory Remarks

Aurangzeb condemned the derogatory and sexist remarks made by KP Information Minister Shafi Jan during the assembly session, which targeted both the Chief Minister and Aurangzeb herself. She labeled Jan's comments as part of a broader trend of disrespect towards women in politics, particularly by the PTI leadership.

In closing, Aurangzeb urged those using Maryam's statements to incite division among provinces to apologize, highlighting the need for respectful discourse in political discussions.

Source: www.dawn.com