Nawaz Sharif’s Daughter Maryam Raises Security Alarm, Says Punjab Faces Threat From Neighboring Provinces

Islamabad: Pakistan's Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz gave a statement on Saturday which has created an uproar. In an event in Lahore, she said that Punjab faces more danger not from outside countries but from its own neighbouring provinces. Her direct reference was towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

What did Maryam Nawaz say after all?

Maryam said that the biggest threat to Punjab, with a population of 13 crores, comes from its own provincial borders. Terrorism is not entering Punjab from across the border but through provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. She also added that at present Punjab is safe, but the threat remains constant. That's why the government is tightening security with AI and new technology.

Why was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mentioned?

Because terrorist attacks have increased a lot in Pakistan in the last 2-3 years. Most of the attacks are taking place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Maryam says that it is from there that terrorists enter the border of Punjab. For this reason, the Punjab government has increased checking on the provincial border and tightened surveillance.

What is the government doing for security?

According to Maryam, the government has invested a lot of money in security. An Intelligence Fusion Center has been created in Punjab, where all the agencies come together and share information. Also, AI based system has been installed which detects the danger in advance. Many check posts now have bulletproof fronts, thermal cameras have been installed and night vision cameras have also been installed so that no movement can be hidden.

Then why did the controversy happen?

PTI got angry as soon as the statement came. Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser said that this statement is extremely shameful and insulting. He said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the police and the army there have made the maximum sacrifices against terrorism. Every second day, soldiers are being martyred there and in such a situation, it is wrong to call the entire province a source of terrorism.

Now after this statement, a new political conflict has started in Pakistan. On one hand the Punjab government is saying that we are only talking about our security, while on the other hand PTI is calling it a statement spreading hatred among the provinces. The debate on this is going to intensify in the coming days.