Security Agencies Advised Maryam Nawaz Against Public Appearances Due to Threats: Uzma Bukhari
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has revealed that security agencies had advised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz against attending public gatherings during her visit to Attock due to suspicious and highly sensitive security threats.
Speaking on journalist Shahzad Iqbal’s programme, Bukhari said the threats were serious in nature, prompting security agencies to restrict Maryam Nawaz’s public appearances. However, she added that the chief minister was accustomed to taking bold decisions and would not retreat in the face of intimidation or pressure.
Bukhari said Maryam Nawaz was continuing her public service agenda despite opposition from elements threatened by her growing popularity. She alleged that certain political groups and individuals within the system viewed the chief minister’s rising political standing and performance as a threat to their interests.
“Those who conspire will continue to conspire, but those committed to public service will continue moving forward,” she said, adding that the Punjab government was fully aware of the motives of such elements and would not abandon its public welfare agenda under any circumstances.
Uzma Bukhari Rejects Corruption Allegations
Responding to corruption allegations levelled against the Punjab government by Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Bukhari rejected claims that corruption had become widespread in the province, describing them as baseless and unacceptable without supporting evidence.
She said certain administrative decisions were independently taken by relevant departments, but criticism was unnecessarily directed at Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, even when she had no personal involvement in those decisions.
Bukhari maintained that Maryam Nawaz had issued strict instructions on several occasions to address such matters.
PML-N to Review Proposal for New Provinces
Commenting on the sensitive and long-standing political issue of creating new provinces, the provincial minister said nothing in politics or governance was final and decisions had to be made according to changing circumstances and the interests of the country and its people.
She said policies formulated 30 or 40 years ago did not necessarily have to remain unchanged in the present era.
مریم نواز کو ایجنسیوں کی جانب سے پبلک میں جانے سے منع کیا گیا تھا کیونکہ اٹک میں مشکوک اور حساس قسم کے threats تھے لیکن وہ Bold Steps لینے کی آدھی ہے اور اس قسم کی باتوں سے پیچھے نہیں ہٹتی۔ عظمی بخاری
#MaryamNawaz #PMLN #Attock @ShahzadIqbalGEO https://t.co/3Q7psuyEYq— Ali Hassan (@AliJrnlst) November 8, 2026
According to Bukhari, the PML-N leadership would carefully examine all relevant aspects and implement whatever consensus-based decision was reached in the public interest.
Punjab Taking Practical Measures Against Corruption
Highlighting the provincial government’s anti-corruption initiatives, Bukhari claimed that Punjab was the only province in Pakistan taking practical and strict action against corruption rather than merely making announcements.
She said the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment was operating as a transparent institution, while various government departments were taking strict departmental action against corrupt officials through internal accountability mechanisms.
She added that body cameras had been introduced in the police, Parah Force and other institutions on the chief minister’s instructions.
CCTV monitoring had also been introduced in government offices, with digital evidence being preserved to ensure transparency and eliminate corruption at its roots, she said.
