May 9 violence no different from India’s attacks: Maryam

SARGODHA/LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has drawn a sharp comparison between the events of May 9 and the recent attacks by India, stressing that there is little difference between the two in terms of their impact on national security.

While addressing students in Sargodha, she urged the youth to safeguard their minds just as they protect their laptops from viruses. “We must ensure that no political virus infects our thinking,” she said, in a clear reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s role in the violence that occurred on May 9.

Criticising the PTI, she stated, “There may be differences in personalities, but on May 9, military installations were attacked and set ablaze. These acts mirror what our enemies have failed to achieve in decades. This party did what even the enemy could not do.”

Maryam Nawaz further remarked that what transpired on May 9, whether done under pressure or voluntarily, was akin to terrorism. “The targets were our armed forces. The very installations that were torched were once protected by the same air force,” she added.

The CM called on the youth to stay away from divisive politics and destructive ideologies. “Never become fuel for sedition. Never speak against your homeland or harm it. Do not take steps against Mother Earth. Stand as an iron wall in defence of your country,” she added. Earlier, CM Maryam Nawaz received a rousing welcome from students during her visit to the University of Sargodha for distribution ceremony of the Laptop and Honhaar scholarship scheme.

As many as 2,983 laptops and 2,491 Honhaar scholarships were given to students of Sargodha Division. 2,587 laptops and 1,975 Honhaar scholarships were given to public universities; 93 students of medical colleges got laptops and 55 students got scholarships; 303 students of colleges in Sargodha Division would get laptops and 461 students Honhaar scholarships.

Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the largest-ever overhead bridge in Sargodha on Thursday, which is named after three-time premier and PMLN President Nawaz Sharif. During her visit to Nawaz Sharif flyover, she was accompanied by Provincial Minister Sohaib Ahmed Bharth, who gave her a briefing on the project. He said the project had been completed in a record period of eight months.