LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday praised Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for his exceptional leadership during Pakistan’s military standoff with India in May this year.
Addressing participants of the National Security and War Course 2026 at the CM House in Lahore, she said the nation remained indebted to the sacrifices of the armed forces. “I would like to congratulate the Pakistan Armed Forces, as well as forces from friendly countries, on the historic victory of Operation Bunyanum-Marsoos,” she said, adding that Pakistan stood proud because of the operation’s success.
Maryam lauded Field Marshal Munir’s role in Pakistan’s response to India’s aggression. “I would like to commend and laud the exceptional leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir in wartime,” she remarked.
The chief minister, however, stressed that safeguarding national security also required internal stability. “An internal weak front is a breeding ground for all ills. If the country is weak from the inside, even without external threats, it poses a serious danger to national security,” she said, citing the events of 1971 as a stark reminder.
She also spoke about the recent floods, acknowledging the losses of Rs371 billion and over 1,000 lives nationwide, including 304 in Punjab. Maryam commended her ministers and the provincial administration for timely rescue measures and assured that rehabilitation of flood victims remained her first priority. “My government has ensured the provision of three meals a day and medical facilities for the affected families across Punjab,” she added.
Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz chaired a four-hour review meeting to take a briefing from eight major departments.
She appreciated the Health Department for its stellar performance during flood, as it treated 1.15 million people in flood-affected areas across the province.
Maryam directed making 1115 electric buses functional in Punjab by December, and directed the deputy commissioners to take steps to establish electric bus charging stations at the earliest.
She said a record of establishing the Wasa in 19 cities in a few months has been achieved. A year and a half ago, the Wasa was working in only five cities, but a target was set to establish it in 25 districts by December 31.
Maryam directed the authorities to officially start the Placer Gold Project, under which the profit earned should go to the people of Punjab. She was briefed that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif Ration Cards have been issued to 11,000 miners in Punjab, and the target of 25,000 cards would be completed this month. Old contracts of pink salt have been cancelled, and revenue has been increased several fold through their re-auction, as it had been decided to market pink salt in America, Europe and United Arab Emirates.
