Adiala prisoner enjoys meat every day: Azma

LAHORE:Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that while the poor can only afford to eat meat during Eid, "the Adiala prisoner enjoys it every day."

Referring to former prime minister Imran Khan, she remarked that he and his family "watch dream-like films all night and wake up in a different world each morning." She criticised political opponents further by saying, “Aleema claims everyone is standing firm, but in truth, they are all actors in the same play.”

She made these remarks during a press conference at the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR), alongside Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq and Chief Minister’s Special Assistant for Price Control Salma Butt.

She extended congratulations on behalf of Punjab’s Chief Minister to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for being elected Vice Presidents of the United Nations Security Council, calling it an unprecedented diplomatic achievement for Pakistan.

Touching on governance, Bokhari emphasized that this year’s Eid sanitation efforts will surpass previous benchmarks, crediting Zeeshan Rafiq for setting new standards in cleanliness that have compelled other provinces to follow suit.

She highlighted the government’s focus on controlling Eid-related costs, particularly food prices. “Punjab is the only province where food-related planning is being done effectively,” she claimed.

Regarding electricity prices, Bokhari announced that the Punjab government has reduced the profit margins of power-generating companies to ensure cheaper electricity is added to the national grid—aimed at easing the burden on consumers.

In response to a journalist’s question, she reiterated her criticism of political theatrics: “The one eating meat daily in Adiala, watching films at night, and staging a show every morning—this is nothing but theatre being played out for the public.”

Discussing Eid preparations, Bokhari acknowledged the difficulty in regulating butchers, most of whom are private workers. She appealed to the public, saying, “Don’t cut people—just sacrifice goats, and offer services at reasonable prices.”