The Punjab government initiated a campaign utilizing artists and TikTokers to commend Maryam Nawaz’s first 100 days of performance. This promotional effort, however, drew sharp criticism from some PML-N supporters, who expressed their frustrations over ongoing issues like inflation and high electricity bills.
R.A. Shehzad, a vocal supporter of PML-N, made critical remarks suggesting that Maryam Nawaz had approved advertising expenditures totalling over five and a half billion rupees for personal promotion. He questioned whether Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, who allegedly took journalists on a government-funded three-day trip, had addressed these reports.
Shehzad further highlighted that this year’s advertising budget was three billion rupees, claiming that these funds were directed to selected advertising agencies favoured by Marriyum Aurangzeb. The total media spend reached ten billion rupees. These statements underscored his concerns about fiscal management and transparency.
In response, Provincial Secretary for Information, Uzma Bukhari, expressed her frustration on Twitter. She criticized the internal critics within the party, stating, “I’ve been thinking for many days whether to address the so-called leading, brave, intelligent, and honest philosophers who are undermining our roots… We all make mistakes, but it’s unjust to always paint us as corrupt or dishonest.”
Shehzad countered by questioning Bukhari’s use of government resources and her response to party workers’ feedback, suggesting she was out of touch with the grassroots. Bukhari retorted, advising Shehzad not to pose as a representative of the workers from abroad and to reflect on his contributions, implying that his criticisms were unconstructive.
This exchange lays bare the internal tensions within PML-N, highlighting the party’s challenges in balancing public perception, supporter expectations, and internal party dynamics amid accusations of excessive government spending.
