CM Maryam extends London stay

Confirms ongoing treatment as delayed return draws ire

LAHORE:

As the province grapples with an unprecedented ecological disaster, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her father and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif have extended their stay in London, with their return now expected later this week, as per reports.

"My treatment is underway, but I am fine," said CM Maryam Nawaz, speaking to journalists in London after a brief stay in Switzerland. The chief minister, joined by her father, ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar, stayed in the scenic country for a week.

Though Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had initially announced a return by November 12, the latest reports suggest a further delay in the father-daughter duo's return. Marriyum, however, is expected to return separately and earlier, according to sources.

Public concern over Maryam Nawaz's health mounted when rumours suggested she might be battling cancer. However, in an earlier press briefing, Marriyum clarified that the CM's health issues stemmed from a thyroid problem, revealing high values in recent tests that required an immediate medical follow-up. Maryam confirmed that she was undergoing treatment and, according to sources, awaiting test results, though no mention of cancer was made.

When asked about launching Air Punjab, she confirmed they were deliberating on it.

Her statement starkly contradicted her Information Minister Azma Bokhari, who had denied that her government was considering acquiring PIA or starting its own airline. Azma and a senior minister clarified in response to Nawaz Sharif's assertion that Punjab was weighing options to purchase and overhaul or rebrand PIA.

However, her week-long trip to Geneva attracted negative press when a video of her strolling with her father, accompanied by the chief secretary, surfaced, along with a photo of her on the street with a senior minister who could be seen holding several bags, presumably including Maryam's.

Many online questioned the trip's true purpose, noting that the presence of the senior environment minister and the chief secretary seemed unnecessary if it was solely for recreation or treatment. In one video, Nawaz and Maryam were seen being heckled by Pakistani expatriates. To counter this lack of support within the diaspora, another video surfaced showing four party workers raising pro-Nawaz Sharif slogans. However, the fact that there were only four people, who focused solely on the camera even as Nawaz walked past them, brought further criticism.

Responding to the heckling, Nawaz remarked that PTI has promoted this culture, encouraging the youth to run after cars, shouting obscenities at opponents, and disregarding cultural and religious values. He urged that if people must protest, they should adhere to some cultural norms.

The trip occurred as a large part of the province grappled with severe air pollution. At a moment when the chief minister should have been in the field if only for solidarity's sake, her trip to a tourist paradise enraged many on social media.