Azma retorts as Salik remembers Parvez Elahi as ‘the best-ever CM’ in Punjab

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain's assertion that former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi was the province's "best-ever chief minister" has sparked unease within the Maryam Nawaz administration, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari. During a television interview, Salik lauded Elahi's tenure, crediting him for delivering development across Punjab without political bias.

However, Bokhari argued that Salik's criticism was motivated by a perceived denial of a personal favor, alleging that the chief minister had turned down his request to appoint a deputy commissioner of his choice. She dismissed Salik's claims of discriminatory development spending and the disproportionate allocation of funds to Lahore, asserting that Maryam Nawaz had ensured an equitable distribution of provincial resources.

Bokhari also highlighted the unprecedented investment in Gujrat and criticized the use of official aircraft, calling for ministerial accountability and transparency in the use of public resources.