Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has publicly denounced the ongoing social media campaign targeting Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, describing it as a deliberately “dirty and low-level” effort orchestrated by opposition forces. She accused the opposition’s online supporters of spreading malicious content with the intent to defame and distract from the government’s work. Bokhari emphasized that this smear campaign is not spontaneous but a coordinated attack designed to undermine the Chief Minister’s reputation.
In a detailed video statement, the minister pointed out that many of those involved in this campaign are self-styled ‘YouTubers’ who frequently post inflammatory content. She highlighted a pattern where any government action taken against these individuals is immediately portrayed as political retaliation or an assault on freedom of expression. Bokhari also revealed that some of the offensive material is being disseminated through fake or manipulated women’s social media accounts, adding a disturbing layer of deceit to the campaign.
Tracing the history of such attacks, Bokhari noted that Maryam Nawaz has been the target of defamatory content since 2014, yet no credible journalist has ever published such material from their personal accounts. She criticized the media for failing to rigorously investigate controversies like the recent plane issue, where nearly 150 vlogs and about 100 television programs were produced without any senior journalist conducting a thorough inquiry. She called for an end to this “filth,” urging for a return to ethical standards in political discourse.
While acknowledging that her own party has plenty of criticisms to level against opponents, Bokhari stressed that they avoid personal attacks out of respect for journalistic ethics and political decorum. She underscored that their focus remains on substantive political debate rather than resorting to mudslinging. The minister further questioned the opposition’s fixation on the plane controversy, asking whether other chief ministers travel under similar circumstances and why this issue is being singled out for political exploitation.
Bokhari did not hold back in criticizing the opposition’s leadership, recalling their previous mismanagement, including costly shuttle services, poor handling of government properties, and large-scale recruitment scandals. She accused them of recycling the same negative tactics and spreading baseless allegations to distract the public from their own failures. The minister also lamented the opposition’s toxic mindset, attributing it to both inadequate upbringing and flawed political training, and expressed sympathy for the women in their families who bear the brunt of such behavior.
Despite the relentless campaign, Bokhari affirmed that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz remains unfazed and continues to dedicate herself to serving the people of Punjab. She highlighted several key government initiatives launched under Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, including a substantial 41 billion PKR Ramadan relief package, the introduction of electric buses, and the disbursement of 103 billion PKR in easy business loans to stimulate economic growth. Additionally, programs like Dahi Rani and Suthra Punjab have created 150,000 jobs and provided housing support, while a 10 billion PKR assistance package has been extended to the people of Balochistan.
Moreover, Bokhari reminded the public of the Chief Minister’s swift response to the recent floods through a 200 billion PKR relief package aimed at aiding affected communities. She concluded by asserting that these positive efforts cannot be overshadowed by baseless social media attacks, which only serve to expose the opposition’s unethical and desperate tactics rather than harm Maryam Nawaz’s standing among the people.
