Nawaz steps up political outreach, meets PML-N lawmakers from Muzaffargarh

LAHORE: PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has recently intensified his political outreach to the party's provincial lawmakers, meeting with MPAs from Muzaffargarh on Wednesday to address their grievances and discuss development priorities, as reported by the Punjab government. Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the former prime minister engaged in discussions with the lawmakers, covering a range of topics including the political landscape and development initiatives in south Punjab.

Since the February 2024 general elections, Nawaz Sharif has had limited direct interactions with provincial lawmakers, typically confining his political engagements to party gatherings and meetings of the Lahore Heritage body. However, this recent meeting with Muzaffargarh's MPAs marks a significant departure from his previous pattern of interaction.

Maryam Nawaz, who has been less accessible to PML-N MPs for the first two years of her tenure, has recently renewed her engagement with lawmakers following complaints about the bureaucracy and police's reluctance to respond to constituent concerns. Many lawmakers from rural constituencies have expressed frustration over officials' perceived disregard for their requests when seeking resolution for local problems.

Following her assumption of the CM role, Maryam Nawaz has made it clear that party lawmakers would not be involved in civil, administrative, or police postings and transfers. In response to the Muzaffargarh lawmakers' briefing on local issues, the Sharifs acknowledged the government's commitment to development projects in the region.

The MPAs praised the Punjab government for undertaking electric bus and clean drinking water projects, highlighting the positive impact on thousands of residents who benefit from these initiatives. They also commended the Local Roads Programme, which focuses on constructing and rehabilitating link roads in Muzaffargarh district.

Maryam Nawaz emphasized the PML-N's dedication to genuine public development and her government's priority in addressing the deprivations faced by south Punjab, drawing from her personal experience of supervising flood relief operations during last year's floods.