Maryam Nawaz Engages in Direct Dialogue With Youth Instead of Traditional Written Speeches: Uzma Bukhari
LAHORE (Daily Qudrat): Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Punjab Uzma Bukhari has said that, unlike the past, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s governance model is completely different and unique, where the entire process of appointment and posting of officers has been kept transparent. Now Maryam Nawaz herself conducts interviews of all officers and also makes the appointments herself.
Speaking on a Geo News programme, she said that in the past the system of posting government officers revolved around political recommendations and personal interests. Assembly members would get assistant commissioners, deputy commissioners, SHOs, tehsildars and patwaris of their choice posted so that they could be used for their political objectives. However, contrary to this tradition, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif introduced a system of governance based on merit and transparency, where she herself interviews all officers and also makes the appointments herself. No member of the Punjab cabinet or any political figure has any authority to get a preferred posting of any officer done. The Chief Minister’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption is completely clear and unequivocal.
Reacting to Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain’s allegations, the Provincial Information Minister said that in a democracy everyone has freedom of expression, but character assassination, levelling false allegations and propaganda in the name of freedom are not right. Chaudhry Salik Hussain did not express freedom of opinion but levelled serious allegations of corruption, and later himself admitted that he does not have any solid evidence, therefore a notice was served on him through the legal procedure. Now he will have to prove his claims with evidence in the legal forum and the court.
Uzma Bukhari recalled that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has always kept its allies with respect, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain is still part of the federal cabinet. Allies are expected to demonstrate political responsibility. When clarification was sought on the allegations, he showed an inappropriate attitude instead of giving a serious answer. Moreover, Salik Hussain’s stance that the Deputy Commissioner had already been transferred is contrary to facts, because the decision to transfer was made on the very day his statement came to light.
She said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif gives special importance to youth and students in her priorities; she engages in direct dialogue with students at gatherings instead of traditional written speeches and advises them to follow positive principles such as maintaining cleanliness, respecting elders, speaking politely and protecting the country’s dignity, so that they can be kept safe from misleading propaganda. It is regrettable that political opponents do not refrain from criticising even positive measures like the training of youth.
