Pakistan ready for growth despite opposition criticism: Maryam Nawaz

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that Pakistan is in a position to "take off" despite opposition criticism, as she accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of fostering chaos and damaging the economy.

Speaking at a cheque distribution ceremony for the CM Punjab Asaan Karobaar Programme, Maryam claimed that Pakistanis were witnessing improvements in their lives. “People of Pakistan are fed up with violence and chaos,” she said.

She criticised the previous PTI-led government for driving inflation to 38%, alleging that their policies scared away foreign investors.

Highlighting her government’s infrastructure initiatives, Maryam said Punjab was currently building 700 roads. In an apparent reference to PTI founder Imran Khan, she dismissed criticism that road construction does not contribute to economic growth.

“If building roads doesn’t bring development, can siege and burn bring it?” she asked. She said that young people now understood who was responsible for their struggles.

“It is very easy to accuse someone and throw insults,” she said, adding that “time quickly changed, and that person is now locked up in Adiala Jail,” in a clear reference to Imran Khan.

Maryam said Pakistan could not afford more political chaos, warning that failure to ensure progress would push many young people into despair.

“The opposition is not able to digest Punjab’s progress… their politics has reached the point of slapping each other,” she said, referring to the recent physical altercation between Fawad Chaudhry and lawyer Shoaib Shaheen.

Discussing the Asaan Karobaar Programme, Maryam said the Punjab government was providing interest-free loans ranging from Rs1 million to Rs30 million to help businesses grow. “Loans are being provided on 100% merit… no favouritism will work,” she assured.

She acknowledged that job creation was a challenge but insisted the economy had improved in the past year, with people’s standard of living rising. “When we came to power, the inflation rate was at 38%, which has now reduced to 4%,” she claimed.

The Punjab government has received 185,000 applications for business loans, she added, stating that as businesses grow, employment opportunities will increase.