LAHORE: The government has increased the budgetary allocations for all sectors by 30 per cent to 350pc.

“Education, healthcare, agriculture, and law and order are top priorities for Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. A significant amount has also been allocated for youth and women-focused relief schemes,” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari told a press conference here on Wednesday.

“Maryam Nawaz has not allocated any funds for inciting the youth against the state or for running campaigns against institutions. Instead, she has initiated multi-billion rupee programmes for scholarships, laptops, and easy business loans for young people. Like a caring mother, Maryam Nawaz wants to see the children of Punjab progress and succeed. Unlike others, she does not sell dreams of 10 million jobs and 5m houses,” Bokhari said.

The minister said Field Marshal General Asim Munir earned respect as under his leadership, the Pakistan Army secured a major victory against India. “The US president hosting him for a luncheon is undoubtedly an honour. Today, the world is aligning with Pakistan’s stance. When Pakistan downed the Rafale jets, the share prices of the manufacturer plummeted. Although Trump was considered very close to Modi, the tables have turned,” she said.

The information minister said before Gen Munir’s visit to Washington, a campaign was launched with protests staged there. “Initially, propaganda was spread claiming there was no official invitation, and he went on his own. The PTI should be ashamed of this behaviour. Decisions about Pakistan are made in Pakistan, whether by Gen Munir or PM Shehbaz Sharif and they make decisions together.”

Azma Bokhari further said that everyone knows where PTI founder Imran Khan’s children were being raised. Earlier, Khan used the excuse that he hadn’t met with officials and thus could not comment on the Iran-Israel war. “Now he has met them, he has instructed his entire party to remain silent.”

She said: “We all have an emotional attachment with Iran.”

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2025