OVER the weekend, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made a statement at a public event that caused quite a stir. Striking a parochial note unbecoming of a public representative, the CM remarked that the threat to Punjab is “less from neighbouring countries and more from my neighbouring provinces”. For a political leader to take such an exclusivist position — one that sits uneasily alongside any aspiration to national leadership — is ill-advised. Referring to the bordering provinces, the CM said: “Terrorism enters Punjab from there. Everyone has their eyes on Punjab, but, thank God, Punjab remains safe. The kind of threats we face come from all our provincial borders.” She appeared to be contrasting her province’s ‘better management’ of law and order, militancy and related challenges with the crises other provinces continue to face. The Punjab information minister later sought to clarify that the CM was merely referring to the movement of terrorists across borders and never intended to target any ethnic community or province. Still, several political leaders took exception to the insinuation that terrorism is not Punjab’s problem but one for the other provinces to deal with.

Opposition parties denounced the remarks as insulting, divisive and damaging to national unity. Many saw them as portraying KP and Balochistan as sources of terrorism rather than as long-suffering victims of it. That anger should be acknowledged. Both provinces have borne the brunt of terrorism, making countless sacrifices for decades. It is irresponsible to suggest, no matter how obliquely, that the pain they have suffered is theirs alone to bear. Terrorism and militancy represent a breakdown of the social contract — one that is simply more visible on the peripheries than in the heartland. Just because the heartland is comparatively stable does not mean it has no responsibility towards the rest of the federation. There is no place for casual provincialism in a society as heterogeneous as Pakistan. Leaders who ‘other-ise’ their opponents to capitalise on social prejudices are sowing the seeds for even greater instability. They believe this will solidify their legitimacy in the eyes of their constituents and consequently strengthen their hold on power. Instead, it will fracture society further and make it much more ungovernable. There is a reason the Quaid laid so much stress on unity. That emphasis must be reflected on.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026