Azma Bokhari backs Maryam over terrorism remarks

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has defended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz against criticism over her recent remarks on terrorism, saying her statement was being given a “provincial and ethnic colour” unnecessarily.

The controversy began after Maryam Nawaz, while speaking about security challenges, said Punjab faced a greater threat from its neighbouring provinces than from neighbouring countries. The remarks triggered a strong reaction, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where political leaders have objected to what they viewed as an attempt to associate militancy with the province.

In a video statement, Bokhari clarified that the chief minister was referring to the movement of militants across provincial boundaries rather than targeting any ethnic group or province.

She argued that militants do not remain restricted to one area and can move from one province to another, eventually posing a threat to Punjab and other parts of the country.

The minister said militant groups operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, along with what she described as India-backed elements, represented a national security challenge rather than an issue limited to a particular province.

Bokhari also highlighted measures taken by the Punjab government to strengthen its Counter-Terrorism Department. She claimed that several militant sleeper cells had been dismantled in the province and pointed to attacks on police personnel as evidence of the risks faced by security forces.

She maintained that Pakistan’s armed forces were capable of dealing with external threats and accused India of pursuing its objectives through proxy networks instead of direct confrontation.

Turning her criticism towards the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Bokhari said maintaining law and order was primarily the responsibility of provincial authorities. She questioned calls for Maryam Nawaz to apologise, arguing that the KP administration should concentrate on addressing the militant threat.

Bokhari said militant sleeper cells should be targeted wherever they operate and claimed that political disputes should not take precedence over security concerns.