Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced plans to send a defamation notice to Federal Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Salik Hussain over his allegations of corruption and alleged political favouritism in the province.
During a television talk show on Monday, Salik praised former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi but criticised the current provincial administration, claiming that political considerations were influencing development priorities and the distribution of public funds.
He also said he frequently heard complaints of corruption in Punjab and alleged that a disproportionate share of the province’s development budget was being allocated to Lahore.
Responding to the remarks at a ceremony in Attock on Tuesday, Maryam said she had been informed about the federal minister’s allegations and would serve him with a defamation notice.
She rejected what she described as baseless accusations, challenging Salik to present evidence or face legal proceedings.
“If you have evidence, bring it forth — otherwise I will drag you to court,” she said, questioning why he continued to serve in a government he considered corrupt.
The chief minister also claimed that Salik’s criticism was linked to her recent decision to replace the deputy commissioner of Gujrat. According to Maryam, the minister had wanted an official of his choice appointed to the position.
She said she would not allow anyone to interfere with the mandate of the people.
Maryam also criticised Salik’s description of Pervez Elahi as the best chief minister Punjab had ever had.
Referring to the condition of Gujrat during Elahi’s tenure, she recalled visiting the city around two years ago when heavy rainfall had caused severe flooding.
She said her vehicle had been submerged and water levels had reached a significant height, adding that the city’s drainage and infrastructure conditions had since improved.
Maryam claimed that rainwater no longer accumulated in the same way and said the improvements had been carried out by her administration rather than the Chaudhry family.
Responding to the chief minister’s remarks, Salik told reporters that he stood by his earlier statement. He also criticised what he described as pride and arrogance, saying people should remain humble.
Asked to provide evidence for his corruption allegations, he advised reporters to listen to his interview again and maintained that corruption existed in Punjab.
Salik also rejected the suggestion that his comments were intended to divert attention from discussions about the creation of new provinces. He said he had simply responded honestly to a question during the interview.
Maryam later responded to his remarks, questioning whether making allegations without evidence could be considered humility while defending oneself was labelled arrogance.
During the interview, Salik had also raised concerns over government expenditure, particularly the use of official aircraft, arguing that public representatives should remain mindful of the country’s economic difficulties.
He called for greater accountability, suggesting that federal and provincial ministers should be given the authority to perform their responsibilities while being held answerable for their performance and the outcomes of their decisions.
His remarks had also drawn a strong response from Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, who advised him against criticising the government while being part of the ruling coalition.
Bokhari had similarly claimed that Salik’s dissatisfaction stemmed from the provincial government’s refusal to appoint a deputy commissioner of his choice in Gujrat.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of political differences within the Chaudhry family and its changing alliances since the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan’s government through a no-confidence vote in 2022.
While Pervez Elahi and his son, former federal minister Moonis Elahi, aligned themselves with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the family of PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain sided with the Sharifs.
Salik is Shujaat Hussain’s younger son, while his elder brother, Shafay Hussain, is a member of Maryam Nawaz’s provincial cabinet.
