Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has defended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz against criticism over her recent London visit and remarks about terrorism, saying opponents are deliberately twisting her words to create divisions. The controversy surrounding Maryam Nawaz has intensified after questions were raised about her use of a government aircraft and comments regarding security threats from neighbouring provinces.
In a post on X, Marriyum Aurangzeb said the real issue for Maryam’s opponents was not the aircraft or her remarks, but her performance and increasing popularity. She accused critics of using the chief minister’s statements to promote hatred and create tensions between provinces.
Government Jet Controversy
Maryam Nawaz has faced criticism over the alleged use of a government jet during her recent private trip to London. The visit came after her youngest daughter, Mahnoor Safdar, graduated from SOAS University of London with a degree in Anthropology.
Responding to the criticism, Marriyum Aurangzeb said the expenses of the London trip would be paid personally by Maryam Nawaz. She maintained that the issue should not be used as a political tool against the Punjab chief minister.
The statement was intended to address concerns over whether public resources were used for a private family visit. By saying that Maryam would bear the expenses herself, the senior minister sought to separate the cost of the trip from the controversy surrounding the government aircraft.
Controversial Security Remarks
The second major issue involves comments made by Maryam Nawaz about terrorism and security threats. The Punjab chief minister had said that Punjab was facing a greater security threat from neighbouring provinces than from neighbouring countries.
The remarks triggered criticism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where officials objected to what they viewed as an attempt to associate the province with terrorism.
Marriyum Aurangzeb defended the chief minister while warning against using her statement to create hatred between provinces. She urged those attempting to exploit the remarks for political division to apologise to the public.
The controversy has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding terrorism in Pakistan, particularly because provinces such as KP have suffered significant losses among civilians, police officers and security personnel during years of militancy.
KP Assembly Condemns Remarks
The criticism escalated after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed a resolution against Maryam Nawaz and other political figures.
The resolution was moved by KP Law Minister Aftab Alam and condemned what lawmakers described as biased and irresponsible statements linking KP and other provinces to terrorism in Punjab.
The provincial assembly argued that such remarks ignored the sacrifices made by the people, police and security forces of KP during the fight against terrorism.
Lawmakers also stressed that terrorism should not be treated as a problem belonging to one province. According to the resolution, it is a national challenge requiring cooperation between the federal government, provincial administrations and security institutions.
The resolution further argued that politicising terrorism and creating divisions between provinces could harm national unity and weaken the federal spirit.
Call for National Unity
The dispute comes at a time when security remains a major concern across Pakistan. Terrorist threats do not follow provincial boundaries, and attacks or security operations in one part of the country can have wider consequences.
Marriyum Aurangzeb’s response focused heavily on this point, accusing political opponents of trying to turn the chief minister’s comments into a source of provincial division.
The senior minister’s defence suggests that the Punjab government does not intend to back away from its position on security concerns. At the same time, the reaction from the KP Assembly shows that the wording of political statements about terrorism can have significant consequences.
Maryam Nawaz Faces Political Pressure
The controversy over Maryam Nawaz comes as the Punjab government continues to promote its performance and development agenda. Her supporters argue that growing public attention toward her administration reflects its political visibility, while critics continue to question several government decisions and statements.
The latest dispute combines two separate issues: the use of a government aircraft for a private trip and comments about security threats. While Marriyum Aurangzeb has defended the chief minister on both fronts, the KP Assembly’s resolution shows that the issue has moved beyond ordinary political criticism.
For now, the debate continues between Punjab and KP political circles. The central question remains whether statements about terrorism can be discussed without turning them into a source of provincial tension.
As Pakistan continues to face security challenges, calls for cooperation and national unity are likely to remain important. The latest controversy surrounding Maryam Nawaz demonstrates how quickly political comments on sensitive security matters can trigger reactions across provincial and political lines.
