Maryam’s security claim sparks India’s water threat debate

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif faced criticism from some public circles after stating that Punjab faced a greater security threat from neighbouring provinces than from neighbouring countries.

Addressing an artificial intelligence technology event in Lahore on Saturday, the chief minister said threats were emerging from the tri-border area and Punjab’s borders with other provinces. She said joint checkposts had been strengthened to counter these threats.

However, her remarks triggered criticism, with some observers questioning whether external threats facing Punjab had been overlooked.

Water and power expert Arshad H. Abbasi said Maryam Nawaz must also remember what he described as India’s “water terrorism” and the potential threat it posed to Punjab. His comments highlighted concerns about Pakistan’s water security and the importance of the Indus river system for Punjab’s agriculture, economy and population.

Despite the criticism, Maryam Nawaz emphasised that her government would make no compromise on law and order. She said all available resources were being used to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the province.

The chief minister said security personnel had previously suffered heavy casualties at checkposts. She claimed that militants were, at one stage, better equipped with weapons and night-vision technology than the police.

She said the government had since strengthened security infrastructure by providing bulletproof protection, thermal imaging equipment and night-vision cameras at important checkposts. These measures, she said, had significantly reduced the risk faced by security personnel.

Maryam Nawaz said her government had taken difficult decisions to maintain peace and that action had been taken wherever the writ of the state was challenged.

She also claimed that the katcha areas, which had remained centres of criminal activity and militancy for decades, had been cleared and turned into crime-free zones. She said the crime rate in Punjab had declined by up to 70 per cent.

The chief minister stressed that development projects alone could not guarantee a better life for citizens without effective law enforcement.

“Roads and projects are being built, but what is the benefit if someone’s animal, motorcycle or car is stolen, or a poor person loses his savings?” she said.

Maryam Nawaz also spoke about her government’s campaign against corruption. She said irregularities detected in the Suthra Punjab programme had resulted in action and suspensions.

A special helpline has also been established to allow citizens to report corruption. The chief minister said written instructions had been issued to senior police officers and other officials to identify and remove corrupt elements.

She said body cameras had also been provided to police personnel to improve accountability during duty hours.

“Even if corruption involves Rs100, we will pursue it,” she said, adding that corruption would not be tolerated.

The chief minister also addressed religious harmony, saying some groups had used religion as a cover to spread hatred. She said religious occasions, including Muharram and Eid Miladun Nabi, had passed peacefully, adding that crimes against minorities would not be tolerated.

She said the government had also tried to balance enforcement with public welfare during its anti-encroachment campaign by providing alternative spaces to some affected vendors.

Maryam Nawaz said billions of rupees had been spent to make Punjab a technology-enabled province. She added that public trust in government was essential for the province’s future development and security.