Punjab Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz firmly rejected suggestions to seek international help for the relief of floods, stating that the provincial government would handle the crisis using its own resources. He also accused the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP) of politicizing disaster.
During the launch of the first electric bus service in Dera Ghazi Khan, Maryam addressed the devastation caused for four consecutive months of rain, which led to the worst flood in the history of Punjab.
She pointed to PPP leadership, specifically President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, for interfering with Punjab’s affairs instead of focusing on her own province.
“Keep your advice for you. We will handle ourselves,” he said, and added that while Bilawal is like a younger brother for her, the spokesmen of her party should refrain from commenting on Punjab’s situation.
Read more: Bilawal asks
The CM also approached Punjab calls to request international donations, insisting that his government will never “beg” for help. “I am the daughter of Nawaz Sharif. I will not beg. How can a person who respects himself holding his hand?” She said, reiterating that her government would trust her own resources.
Maryam emphasized that Punjab had not requested any financial assistance from the federal government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the relief of floods. “I have not taken or ask for a breakdown of the prime minister,” he said.
He also criticized Benazir’s income support program for offering insufficient help to families affected by floods. “What can someone do with RS10,000 if you have suffered a loss worth millions?” She asked. In response, he promised to RS1 million in compensation for affected families.
The CM also emphasized its commitment to all Punjab, dismissing efforts to divide the province along the regional lines. “South Punjab is as dear to me as my own son, Junaid,” he said, highlighting the true development work of the PML-N in the region.
He added that under their leadership, schoolchildren in southern Punjab were receiving milk and other practical well -being measures.
In his speech, the prime minister discussed the well -being measures aimed at families fighting for the end of the month. She clarified that the ration cards of her administration were intended for working people, not those who trust the assistance of the government effortlessly.
Electric Bus Service for South Punjab
Maryam launched the new electric bus service, calling him a historical milestone in the modernization of the South Punjab transport system.
A total of 101 buses will be deployed in the DG Khan division, which covers areas such as Layyah, Muzafargarh, Rajanpur, Taunsa and Kot Addu. The service will offer free trips for women, students and older people, and will be totally accessible to people with disabilities.
The first phase includes 24 buses on DG Khan routes, which will have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cargo ports, CCTV cameras and separate compartments for women.
In his final comments, he urged citizens to treat new buses as their own, emphasizing that damaging public property is similar to damaging the public itself. “These buses belong to people. Keep them clean and safeguard them,” he said.
