Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has publicly condemned the ongoing social media campaign against Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, describing it as a “dirty and low-level” effort orchestrated by opposition forces. She accused the opposition’s online supporters of deliberately spreading defamatory content, aiming to tarnish the image of the CM through unethical means. Bukhari’s remarks came amid rising tensions on digital platforms where political rivalries have increasingly played out.
In a detailed video statement, the minister pointed out that many of the negative posts and videos are being produced by so-called ‘YouTubers’ and social media influencers who often evade accountability. She noted that whenever authorities take action against such accounts, the opposition quickly labels it as political victimization or an attack on freedom of expression. Bukhari also revealed that some of these offensive campaigns are being run using fake or women’s accounts, further complicating the online landscape and making it difficult to trace the real culprits behind the smear efforts.
Providing historical context, Azma Bukhari reminded the public that Maryam Nawaz has been a target of defamatory content since 2014. She expressed skepticism that any reputable journalist would engage in such personal attacks from their own social media profiles, implying that much of the negative content is manufactured by politically motivated individuals rather than professional media personnel. She referenced the recent controversy surrounding a plane incident, highlighting that despite the production of around 150 vlogs and nearly 100 television programs on the subject, no senior journalist conducted a thorough, unbiased investigation. Bukhari called for an end to what she described as “filth” and urged for a more responsible approach to political discourse.
While criticizing the opposition’s tactics, the minister emphasized that her party maintains a higher standard of political engagement, refraining from personal attacks due to their commitment to ethics and professionalism. She stressed that their focus remains firmly on policy and governance rather than indulging in character assassination. Bukhari questioned the opposition’s fixation on the plane issue, asking rhetorically whether other chief ministers do not travel in similar ways, suggesting that the controversy is being exploited merely as a pretext for a broader smear campaign.
Turning her attention to the opposition leadership, Bukhari did not hold back in highlighting their past administrative failures, including expensive shuttle services, poor management of government assets, and large-scale recruitment drives that lacked transparency. She accused them of recycling the same negative tactics and spreading misinformation today. The minister also commented on the opposition’s behavior, attributing it to both inadequate family upbringing and flawed political training, and expressed sympathy for the women in their families who bear the brunt of such toxic attitudes.
Despite the hostile environment on social media, Azma Bukhari affirmed that these campaigns have no effect on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who remains dedicated to serving the people of Punjab. She outlined several key government initiatives launched under Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, including a substantial 41 billion PKR Ramadan package aimed at supporting vulnerable populations, the introduction of electric buses to improve public transport, and the disbursement of 103 billion PKR in easy business loans to stimulate economic growth. Additionally, Bukhari highlighted social welfare programs such as the Dahi Rani initiative, the Suthra Punjab program which has created 150,000 jobs and homes, and a 10 billion PKR assistance package for people in Balochistan.
She also recalled the Chief Minister’s swift response to the recent floods, which included a massive 200 billion PKR relief package to aid affected communities. Bukhari concluded by asserting that while the opposition’s social media campaign may attempt to damage Maryam Nawaz’s reputation, it ultimately only exposes their own unethical and desperate tactics. The minister’s strong stance underscores the growing challenges of political discourse in the digital age, where misinformation and personal attacks often overshadow substantive debate.
