Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb addressed the backlash against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz concerning her use of a government jet for a private trip to London and her comments on terrorism. She accused critics of distorting the CM’s statements to fuel animosity.

In a post on X, Aurangzeb emphasized that the controversy was not about the aircraft usage or Nawaz’s remarks but rather about her effective governance and increasing popularity. She wrote that the real issue lies in Maryam Nawaz’s performance and the growing support she commands.

The chief minister faced criticism after allegedly using a government jet for her recent London visit, where her youngest daughter, Mahnoor Safdar, graduated from SOAS University of London with a degree in Anthropology. Aurangzeb clarified that Maryam Nawaz personally covered all expenses related to the trip.

Without explicitly naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Aurangzeb condemned those exploiting the CM’s comments to incite hatred between provinces and urged them to apologize to the public. This statement followed Maryam Nawaz’s remark that Punjab faces a greater security threat from other provinces than from neighboring countries.

In a significant development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed a resolution on Friday condemning Maryam Nawaz for what it termed a “biased statement” about the provinces. The resolution, introduced by KP Law Minister Aftab Alam, also criticized Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, and Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari for linking KP and other provinces to terrorism in Punjab.

The resolution described such statements as factually incorrect, irresponsible, politically motivated, and disrespectful to the people, police, and security forces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who have sacrificed in the fight against terrorism. It stressed that politicizing terrorism and fostering provincial divisions undermines national unity and the federal spirit.

It further stated that terrorism is a challenge confronting the entire nation and cannot be confined to any single province or region. The resolution called for addressing this threat through national solidarity, mutual trust, and a coordinated strategy.