Shafay says standing by his younger brother

LAHORE: Punjab Commerce and Investment Minister Shafay Hussain of the PML-Q has expressed his unwavering support for his younger brother Salik Hussain, who serves as the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis. In response to the ongoing controversy surrounding Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Salik, Shafay emphasized that he will not distance himself from his brother.

He stated, “I have and will never distance myself from my younger brother. My brother is an independent person with his own independent views,” during an interview with Dawn. Maryam Nawaz has initiated a Rs5 billion defamation notice against Salik, accusing him of corruption allegations against her government. Salik, in turn, has insisted that he will address the notice when it arrives.

Shafay defended his brother, suggesting that Salik may possess information about corruption that he was previously unaware of. “Salik Hussain never named Maryam Nawaz and never intended to say anything about her nor the Punjab government, but I believe he was referring to the systematic corruption that we all agree exists,” Shafay remarked.

He further called for increased tolerance among politicians and encouraged them to sit together to clarify the misunderstandings. Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari affirmed that Shafay Hussain's recent interviews have been supportive of Maryam Nawaz, and they have no intention to remove him from the Punjab cabinet.

Shafay Hussain has also denied Salik's allegations. This latest development occurs amidst a political rift within the Chaudhry family, following the dismissal of Imran Khan's government in 2022. While Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi have joined forces with the PTI, Shafay and Shafay Hussain have opted to side with the Sharifs. Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026.