Maryam Nawaz issues stern warning over violence against women

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday issued a strong warning against violence targeting women, saying those who dared to physically assault vulnerable women would face the same treatment and would no longer escape accountability.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, the chief minister said anyone who raised a hand against a helpless woman earning an honest livelihood should be prepared to face humiliation in return. She added that women had the right and opportunity to defend themselves.

Her remarks came after a video circulated on social media showing a man physically assaulting a female sales assistant at a shop in Kohinoor Plaza, Faisalabad.

According to Faisalabad police, the incident occurred on November 8 when the woman informed the man that the shop was exclusively reserved for female customers. Police said the establishment was a lingerie store.

The man reportedly became furious following the exchange. CCTV footage showed him pulling the woman from behind the counter before throwing her to the ground and physically assaulting her.

Police confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and legal proceedings had been initiated against him.

According to the information shared by the chief minister, the shop owner had visited the premises to collect rent. The sales assistant reportedly asked him to leave and contact the business owner instead.

A first information report (FIR) was registered at Madina Town Police Station on Monday following a complaint by the woman.

The FIR invoked Sections 354 and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with assault or criminal force against a woman with the intention of outraging her modesty and acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty.

In her complaint, the woman stated that she was performing her routine duties at the lingerie shop when the owner arrived to collect rent. She explained that rent was paid in instalments and handed him Rs5,000, asking him to collect the remaining amount later.

However, she alleged that the man started arguing over taxes. She told him that, as an employee, she had no authority to make decisions regarding tax matters and advised him to discuss the issue directly with the business owner.

The woman further alleged that the man behaved offensively, threatened to slap her and eventually resorted to physical violence, including kicking her, despite her repeated requests to contact the owner.

Reacting to the incident, Maryam Nawaz said that no individual, regardless of wealth, influence or position, would be allowed to intimidate, exploit or harm ordinary citizens without consequences.

She stressed that the government would stand firmly with vulnerable people and take decisive action against those who misuse their power.

“The days of the powerful getting away with abusing the powerless are over,” she said, adding that the state would respond firmly to such behaviour.

The latest incident follows several similar cases in which the Punjab chief minister publicly intervened after women and ordinary workers were allegedly assaulted.

Last month, Maryam Nawaz took notice of an incident in which a man allegedly attacked a woman riding a scooter on Mozang Ring Road in Lahore.

At the time, she spoke to the victim and encouraged her to slap the accused as many times as he had slapped her. However, the woman reportedly said that the government’s support and assurance of protection were enough for her.

The chief minister later expressed dissatisfaction after learning that the suspect had been granted bail.

In another incident last month, a man was accused of assaulting an employee at a petrol station in Lahore. Maryam Nawaz shared footage showing the employee slapping the arrested suspect while a police officer attempted to intervene.

She condemned the behaviour of influential individuals who considered themselves above the law because of their wealth and social status.

Reaffirming her position, the chief minister said she would continue to support oppressed citizens regardless of the influence or power of those accused of mistreating them.