PAF that faced May 9 attacks shot down Rafale jets: Maryam

FAISALABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Wednesday lauded the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), stating that the same force whose aircraft were set ablaze during the May 9 riots now shot down Rafale jets, demonstrating unmatched resilience and national pride.

Speaking at the Honhaar Scholarship programme ceremony at the Government College University Faisalabad, she invoked the powerful words of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, saying: “We are not the people of May 9; we are the people of May 28 and May 10.” She said that Pakistan’s recent military success against a much larger enemy had united the entire nation and ensured a more secure future for the country.

“The way we achieved victory has safeguarded our future. The PAF, whose planes were targeted on May 9, shot down Rafale jets. Our armed forces shattered the arrogance of the enemy,” she declared.

Maryam praised the bravery of Pakistan Army and the Air Force, stating that they had defeated a militarily superior adversary through sheer determination and unity. “Those who spread hate and division have failed. The people of Pakistan stand united and proud.”

Addressing the youth directly, she urged them to think critically and not be swayed by destructive narratives. “I tell the youth: do not fall prey to blind imitation. Ours is a nuclear-armed nation, and our enemies now know better than to threaten us.”

CM Maryam Nawaz also announced the launch of Metro Bus and Green Electric Bus services in Faisalabad, in a major push to improve the city’s public transport system. She further announced that a comprehensive Faisalabad development plan, modelled after Lahore’s development blueprint, would soon be introduced. Additionally, she vowed to transform villages in the Faisalabad division into model villages.

During her address, Maryam said, “India claimed the Rafale jet was invincible, but our pilots brought it down with a JF-17 Thunder. The nation will never forget who made the JF-17 possible,” she added.

As part of the laptop and Honhaar Scholarship Phase-II ceremony, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz oversaw the distribution of 5,928 laptops among students from universities, colleges, and medical colleges across Faisalabad division.

The recipients included 4,224 students from public universities, 1,385 from colleges, and 319 medical students. In addition to the laptops, scholarships exceeding Rs100 million were awarded to 4,075 deserving students enrolled in second to fifth-year degree programmes and third to eighth semester courses, under the Honhaar Scholarship programme.