Nawaz revs up political engagements

Muzaffargarh MPs briefed the Sharifs on local issues

LAHORE:

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday held a meeting with the party's MPAs from Muzaffargarh as part of efforts to strengthen coordination between lawmakers and the provincial administration, according to the Punjab government.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz accompanied him during the meeting at her office, where the former premier heard the legislators' concerns and discussed the political situation and development priorities in south Punjab.

The interaction is notable as Nawaz has had limited engagement with provincial lawmakers since the February 2024 general elections.

Since the elections, the PML-N president has largely limited his political activities to party meetings and sessions of the Lahore Heritage body, without directly engaging with provincial lawmakers.

According to an official Punjab government statement, the Muzaffargarh lawmakers briefed the Sharifs on local issues and lauded the Punjab government for what they termed a record number of development projects in south Punjab.

They expressed gratitude to the chief minister for launching electric bus and clean drinking water projects in Muzaffargarh, saying the initiatives reflected her focus on relatively underdeveloped areas.

The MPAs said thousands of residents were benefiting from the electric bus service.

Maryam maintained that the PML-N believed in "genuine public development rather than hollow slogans and false claims", stressing that addressing the deprivations of south Punjab remained her government's top priority.

She said she had personally overseen rescue and relief efforts during last year's floods in the region, adding that helping people in underserved areas and improving their access to facilities gave her the greatest satisfaction.

Separately, Nawaz visited Bhatti Chowk Underpass in Lahore and reviewed the ongoing construction work.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Ali Ejaz also accompanied him.