Summary
- A member of the Punjab Assembly belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Arshad Malik, has stirred discussion after suggesting that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s photograph should be included on Pakistan’s Rs 5,000 currency note.
- Speaking during a session of the Punjab Assembly, the lawmaker proposed that alongside Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Nawaz Sharif’s image should also be featured on the currency note.
- While supporters of the idea view it as a tribute to Nawaz Sharif’s contributions, critics argue that currency notes are state symbols that should remain non-partisan and reserved for universally recognized historical figures.
A member of the Punjab Assembly belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Arshad Malik, has stirred discussion after suggesting that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s photograph should be included on Pakistan’s Rs 5,000 currency note.
Speaking during a session of the Punjab Assembly, the lawmaker proposed that alongside Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Nawaz Sharif’s image should also be featured on the currency note. The statement quickly drew attention within the assembly and outside, sparking debate among political circles.
Arshad Malik argued that Nawaz Sharif played a significant role in the country’s development and progress. He stated that the former prime minister’s leadership had helped steer Pakistan toward economic growth and infrastructure development, which in his view justified recognition at a national level.
The remarks come at a time when discussions around political legacy, national symbols, and historical representation continue to generate strong reactions in Pakistan’s political landscape. Currency design in particular remains a sensitive topic, as it traditionally features only founding national figures and state-approved imagery.
While supporters of the idea view it as a tribute to Nawaz Sharif’s contributions, critics argue that currency notes are state symbols that should remain non-partisan and reserved for universally recognized historical figures. Such proposals often trigger wider debates about political influence on national institutions.
No official response has been issued by the State Bank of Pakistan or the federal government regarding the suggestion, and there is no indication that the proposal is under consideration.
The statement has nevertheless added to ongoing political discourse in Punjab Assembly sessions, where members frequently highlight their party leaders’ achievements during budget and policy discussions.
The proposal is expected to remain a talking point in political circles, reflecting the broader polarization in Pakistan’s political environment.
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