‘He is minus,’ says Maryam in veiled jibe at Imran Khan

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while addressing a charged session of the Punjab Assembly on Friday, took a direct shot at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan without naming him, saying that he is no longer relevant in national politics.

She said she did not intend to discuss politics during the session, as her speech was largely focused on the recently passed provincial budget and ongoing economic and social reforms in Punjab. However, she added, “Some things must be said,” and continued her veiled swipe at the incarcerated PTI founder.

“Those who said Nawaz Sharif is ‘minus’ are now themselves out of the picture. No one removed them; it was their own poor performance. Even his sister, Aleema Khan, admitted he is now irrelevant.”

Tax-free budget

“This is the largest and a tax-free budget in Punjab’s history,” said Maryam, highlighting what she called record revenue growth and the elimination of a 30-year-old domestic debt within just 18 months.

“Presenting the largest budget, spending less, and imposing no new taxes is nothing short of a miracle,” she said.

Maryam also credited her administration for fulfilling all promises made during the previous year, emphasising development without discrimination. “Whatever Lahore received, so did Bhakkar, Layyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan,” she noted, reaffirming that her government’s work extended to all parts of the province.

Reforms and initiatives

Maryam also listed major reforms and projects under her government, including launch of shrimp farming on over 5,000 acres of land, expansion of the Kisan Card scheme benefiting farmers in southern Punjab, increased share for South Punjabi students in the laptop scheme, and savings of Rs30 billion in the mines and minerals sector.

She also announced the launch of the province’s largest clean drinking water project, beginning from South Punjab, starting “tomorrow.”

Praise and protests

Maryam praised her finance team for crafting a development-heavy, tax-free budget aligned with Nawaz Sharif’s vision. She said provincial tax revenue increased by 50 percent, and operating expenses rose by only 3%.

“I salute the patience and support of our MPAs,” she said, adding that these achievements wouldn’t be possible without their cooperation.

However, her speech triggered uproar in the assembly, with opposition members protesting loudly. At one point, members of the treasury and opposition benches clashed physically during the session.

Despite the turmoil, Maryam maintained her composure, reiterating that “there is no place for discrimination in my thinking” and promising to continue working for all regions of Punjab equally.

Applaud for Pakistan Army

Expressing pride in Pakistan’s recent historic victory against India, she applauded the Pakistan Army and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

She also condemned Israeli aggression against Iran, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and solidarity with Iran.

Health and education initiatives

Continuing her address, Maryam Nawaz unveiled an “expansive” plan of health and education reforms, describing them as a “revolution in the making.”

She announced the launch of Punjab and Pakistan’s first public diagnostic centre, equipped with 10 MRI and 10 CT scan machines. “Punjab’s government hospitals already host some of the best doctors in the world,” she said. “Now, we are providing them the tools to deliver world-class care.”

Maryam revealed that the province’s first public cancer hospital, a 1,000-bed facility, is nearing completion and will become functional this year. “It will be equipped with the latest technology and specialist doctors. This will be a turning point for cancer treatment in Pakistan,” she said.

The chief minister highlighted the success of the “clinics-on-wheels” initiative, providing door-to-door free healthcare. “Over 100,000 people have already benefited.”

She further said that Rs13 billion had been allocated for the deployment of nearly 50,000 healthcare professionals to deliver healthcare services at the doorstep.

She also announced the establishment of modern CAB labs this year and the activation of 1,400 dispensaries at a cost of Rs10 billion.

Maryam added that her government had already distributed nearly Rs7 billion worth of free medicines. “What Shahbaz Sharif started as a noble cause was discontinued by later governments. Today, we have revived that initiative with a Rs100 billion allocation,” she said, claiming public hospitals now stock and distribute essential medicines.

Life-saving medical facilities

Highlighting emergency medical services, she said 170 lives had been saved via the newly launched air ambulance service.

She also announced the success of the children’s heart surgery card initiative, under which 5,000 free surgeries had been conducted.

The CM revealed that an Rs11 billion dialysis programme had been launched and that free surgeries were underway under the Chief Minister Transplant Programme.

She also announced the establishment of a new Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore, on 5,000 kanals of land near the Ring Road. “This medical city will treat illnesses that currently have no treatment available in Pakistan,” she said, adding that it would also include Pakistan’s first European-style trauma hospital, a burn unit, an airstrip for medical emergencies, a medical university, and a nursing institute.

Revamping education system

On education, the chief minister said a “historic budget” had been allocated.

“Just like health, the entire education system is being revamped,” she said, adding that the government is hiring qualified teachers and has introduced a new performance evaluation system.

She also presented the “Honhaar Scholarship Programme” as Pakistan’s largest, aiming to raise the number of recipients from 55,000 to 75,000 this year.

“We want our children to have laptops and go to school on electric bikes,” Maryam said, announcing that 25,000 more laptops would be distributed.

She further said the school milk programme had already reached 400,000 children in South Punjab.

She also promised further relief for households: “From next week, we will reduce the price of roti once again.”