Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made headlines once again as she proudly donned the uniform of the Elite Force during a passing-out parade in Lahore on Friday.
Undeterred by the criticism she faced previously for wearing a uniform, Maryam Nawaz appeared on television screens Friday morning, sporting the uniform with a broad smile.
Last month, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sparked controversy when she attended a passing-out ceremony for women constables and traffic assistants dressed in Punjab police attire. Addressing the graduating class at Police Training College Chung, she emphasized the gravity of holding public office, stating, “Being a police officer or serving as a CM is a very responsible job. In the chief minister’s office, we make decisions, and you implement them.”
However, her choice to wear the police uniform drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including opposition figures such as Omar Ayub, Yasmin Rashid, Moonis Elahi, and Shahbaz Gill. The move also ignited discussions on social media, with many questioning its rationale.
Amidst the backlash, a Lahore-based lawyer even filed a petition before a sessions court, seeking the registration of a case against the Punjab chief minister for allegedly impersonating a police officer. Despite this, both the PML-N and Punjab police defended Maryam Nawaz’s actions, citing precedents and regulations governing the attire of governors and chief ministers.
