Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday took a swipe at PTI founder Imran Khan for unleashing politics of chaos in the country.
She also accused the former prime minister of taking Pakistan to the brink of default, while crediting the PML-N's governments in the Centre and Punjab for putting the country on the track of progress.
"Gone are the days when only bad news emanated from Pakistan. Now bad news only comes from Adiala Jail from where there is an influx of letters these days seeking forgiveness," Maryam said addressing a large gathering at Narowal district of Punjab.
Imran Khan has been detained at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since September 2023. In the past week, the PTI founder wrote a series of open letters to the army chief in what was regarded by some as a calculated move to present the PTI's narrative.
During her speech, Maryam claimed that the economy was left in dire straits by the PTI government which expected that the PML-N led government would not be able to stabilize it, leading to a default.
"The PTI wanted Pakistan to become Sri Lanka," she said in a reference to the neighboring country which defaulted on its foreign debt in April 2022.
Referring to Imran's wife Bushra Bibi and her friend Farah Gogi, Maryam claimed that the PTI tenure was "a tale of unending corruption by Gogi and Pinky Pirni [Bushra], who turned Punjab into a pile of garbage". During the PTI's rule, she said, friendly countries became alienated from Pakistan.
"Their blue-eyed boys indulged in massive loot and plunder. No work was done without bribery in the entire Punjab. All bribes went to Gogi and Pinki," she alleged. The Punjab CM accused Imran of teaching violence to the children of the nation "while his own children were living the luxury life in London".
She said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif used to ask people not to be misled by the lies of the PTI founder.
The CM said she had come to Narowal to seek a stamp of approval from her people on her performance.
"I did not wait for five years nor did I use mismanagement of the previous government as an excuse," she said, adding that due to the PML-N government's efforts the inflation had come down to 5%.
"The price of roti was Rs25 during the PTI's rule. Now the price of roti is only Rs12. There was talk of a severe economic crisis but now the statistics show that the economy has taken off," she said.
She said streets, neighborhoods, roads and cities are being cleaned under the Suthra Punjab programme.
"Under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme, monthly installments of houses will be equal to house rents. Under the programme, we will provide loans to the people. 10,000 tractors have been given to the farmers at a subsidized price.
"Himmat cards are being given to 60,000 differently-abled people. Under the minority card, Rs10,500 will be given after every 3 months."
She said 1,250 basic health centres in Punjab have been revamped and converted into Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics according to European standards. 250,000 patients are getting free medicine at their doorsteps.
"The projects of Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital and Sargodha Institute of Cardiology are going to be completed soon.
"Field hospitals are going to villages every day and providing treatment facilities to thousands of people.
"30,000 talented students have received Honhaar scholarships and its number will be increased up to 50,000. I am bringing one lakh laptops for students soon," she announced.
She said 36-km long Narowal-Shakargarh Road was completed in one year while 75-km long Muridke to Narowal road was completed in a short period of three months The CM said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif remain busy in serving the people day and night.
"If today is better than yesterday, tomorrow will hopefully be better than today. I promise to the people that I will work day and night in their service. With hard work and dedication, I have improved the lives of the people."
She inaugurated two road projects worth over Rs2 billion. She also laid the foundation stones of the Narowal Medical College project and the Children's Learning Park for Narowal.
The CM also laid the foundation stone of 75-km-long Narowal-Muridke Road Phase II. 400 km of roads will be constructed and repaired in Narowal at a cost of Rs28 billion.
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