Maryam Nawaz vows not to spare ministers facing corruption complaints

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has warned members of her cabinet that she will not spare any minister against whom a corruption complaint emerges. Addressing an event in Jhelum, she swore that ministers would face action over such complaints.

Maryam also said she would resign if corruption involving even one rupee were proved against her. She said a vigorous campaign against corruption was under way in Punjab and that government employees who accepted bribes were being dismissed from their jobs.

Turning to those promoting an anti-corruption narrative, the chief minister said she knew them well and accused them of making arrangements for their next move. She questioned why they did not resign if they had objections.

Maryam alleged that such people had been brought up in an environment where they would ask how much to take in bribes. She further claimed that they had now fled abroad and were staying there.

The chief minister alleged that corruption had flourished in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for several years. She asked whether corruption did not also exist in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and questioned why those raising objections over corruption continued to serve as ministers.

Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leader Chaudhry Hussain Elahi warned that he would take the entire Punjab government to court if development funds were not provided. He accused the government of having no concern for the public and said the rulers in Lahore could see nothing beyond Lahore.