JHELUM:Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has challenged critics of her government over corruption allegations, questioning why "dissatisfied" ministers continue holding office instead of resigning.
"Those who have a problem should resign. Why are they sitting there as ministers?" Maryam Nawaz said while addressing a ceremony held in Jhelum on Tuesday to distribute laptops and award scholarships to outstanding students.
Maryam Nawaz said that people who had not delivered anything in the past found it easy to accuse others of corruption, adding that she had never claimed corruption had been completely eliminated in Punjab. "I have never said that corruption has been completely eliminated in Punjab."
However, she claimed that Punjab is the only province where the chief minister regularly uncovered corruption cases, questioning whether corruption did not exist in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
She challenged anyone possessing evidence against a member of her cabinet to come forward, saying she would not spare any minister found involved in wrongdoing. "If anyone comes forward with evidence against my minister, I will not spare them."
Maryam Nawaz said that, for the first time, a government was standing alongside poor and working-class people, adding that politically influential individuals could no longer dare to assault common people.
She also described an incident involving a shopkeeper who allegedly assaulted a young girl.
According to the chief minister, she instructed that the girl be brought to the police station and told to slap the wealthy shopkeeper in return.
Referring to the political situation ahead of the next elections, Maryam Nawaz said criticism had intensified as polls approached, alleging that some people were trying to secure their political positions for the future.
During her address, she also highlighted the provincial government's initiatives for young people, saying today's youth held laptops instead of petrol bombs and stones.
She described talented students as her heroes and said investment in education was an investment in the country's future.
Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring complete meritocracy in the recruitment process across the province. The Chief Minister urged the youth to play an active role in the country's politics and contribute to its development.
She said unprecedented development is also taking place in smaller cities, highlighting various initiatives, including the establishment of hospitals and schools. She said cancer hospitals are being established at the divisional headquarters level. She said three hundred Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence are being established across the province.