Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has sent a legal notice to Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, the chairman of a private TV channel and the host of the program, for making ‘allegations of corruption’ in the province.
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik had claimed in an interview with private TV channel ARY that ‘I am hearing stories of corruption in Punjab every day, which are also true, and now not only files of corruption but cabinets are filled, these stories are also being recorded’.
During the interview, he further said, “The plane should not be used for personal purposes and also for official use. How much investment has come into the country from the visits? The entire budget of Punjab goes to Lahore, then it is their choice how to distribute it.”
According to the legal notices sent by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the allegations of corruption in the Punjab government were made during a TV interview of Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, which was broadcast by a private TV channel without verification or any documentary evidence.
The notices have taken the position that the Federal Minister himself admitted during the interview that he had no evidence to prove the allegations of alleged corruption, despite which he made serious claims about corruption in Punjab.
The legal notice also referred to Chaudhry Salik Hussain’s statement in which he said that instead of files of alleged corruption in Punjab, the cabinets are now full and records of these cases are also being compiled.
The legal notices accuse the private TV channel and the host of the program of broadcasting the allegations without knowing the Punjab government’s stand and without obtaining any documentary evidence to verify the allegations.
According to the notices, the channel and the journalist provided a platform to promote propaganda against the provincial government by broadcasting unsubstantiated and defamatory allegations.
Earlier, Maryam Nawaz addressed Chaudhry Salik Hussain at a ceremony held at Comsats University in Attock today to distribute scholarships and laptops among students and said, “I will drag you to court.” If even a penny is lost in corruption in Punjab, Maryam Nawaz is answerable to Allah Almighty and the people.
She said, “Don’t make false allegations, bring evidence if you have it.” When it rained in Gujarat, which was handed over to me, water would stand everywhere. The problem is that why was the DC of Gujarat not of our choice? I follow 100% merit in appointing officers, what comes from recommendation sinks the people and the country. I am not the Chief Minister who ‘loses’ the problem but finds a solution.
Pointing to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, she said that ‘where the border of Punjab ends, development also ends’. I have served the people exemplary in 3 years. Those who were waiting for my downfall are now doing propaganda after seeing the development.
Maryam Nawaz further said that it is said that this is all AI, one should not be afraid of criticism but should maintain courage in difficult situations, the biggest asset for me is the love of the people.