Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz firmly rejected suggestions to seek international aid for flood relief, asserting that the provincial government would handle the crisis using its own resources. She also accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of politicising the disaster.
During the launch of the first-ever electric bus service in Dera Ghazi Khan, Maryam addressed the devastation caused by four consecutive months of rainfall, which led to the worst flooding in Punjab’s history.
She took aim at PPP leadership, specifically Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, for interfering in Punjab’s affairs instead of focusing on their own province.
"Keep your advice to yourself. We will manage Punjab ourselves," she said, adding that while Bilawal is like a younger brother to her, his party's spokespersons should refrain from commenting on Punjab's situation.
Read More: Bilawal calls for relief, not rhetoric — questions PML-N 'U-turn' on BISP
The CM also addressed calls for Punjab to request international donations, insisting her government would never "beg" for help. “I am Nawaz Sharif’s daughter. I will not beg. How can a self-respecting person hold their hand out?” she said, reiterating that her government would rely on its own resources.
Maryam stressed that Punjab had not requested any financial assistance from the federal government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for flood relief. “I haven’t taken or even asked for one rupee from the prime minister,” she affirmed.
She also criticised the Benazir Income Support Programme for offering insufficient aid to flood-affected families. “What can someone do with Rs10,000 if they’ve suffered a loss worth millions?” she asked. In response, she pledged up to Rs1 million in compensation for affected families.
The CM also emphasised her commitment to all of Punjab, dismissing efforts to divide the province along regional lines. "South Punjab is as dear to me as my own son, Junaid," she said, highlighting the PML-N's real developmental work in the region.
She added that under her leadership, schoolchildren in South Punjab were receiving milk and other practical welfare measures were being implemented.
In her speech, the chief minister discussed welfare measures targeting families that struggle to make ends meet. She clarified that her administration’s ration cards were intended for hardworking individuals, not those who rely on government assistance without effort.
Electric bus service for South Punjab
Maryam launched the new electric bus service, calling it a historic milestone in the modernisation of South Punjab’s transport system.
A total of 101 buses will be deployed across DG Khan Division, covering areas like Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Taunsa, and Kot Addu. The service will offer free travel for women, students, and senior citizens, and will be fully accessible for people with disabilities.
The first phase includes 24 buses on routes in DG Khan, which will feature air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, charging ports, CCTV cameras, and separate compartments for women.
In her concluding remarks, she urged citizens to treat the new buses as their own, stressing that damaging public property is akin to harming the public itself. “These buses belong to the people. Keep them clean and safeguard them,” she said.
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