Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has come under fire on social media for wearing what appears to be a luxurious fur coat in London while addressing Punjab's smog crisis on November 12.

 

The optics for the Punjab's Chief Minister aren't good as the citizens of the province, and in particular Lahore, go through one of the worst climate catastrophes in history. 

 

A dark haze has engulfed Punjab's major cities, including Lahore and Multan, with poor visibility. Furthermore, traffic on the motorway is also suspended due to the smog crisis. 

 

Nasa's satellite images show both Lahore and New Delhi shrouded in thick smog with no green cover.

 

Netizens criticised the timing of Mayam's visit overseas as her province is experiencing a crisis. CM Punjab, while talking to reporters, stated, "We are taking action against smog and will eliminate this smog in a few years. I am so sorry for the fact that this problem has been pushed to such an extent because they [previous government] had no concern for such a serious issue."

 

Netizens on X (formerly Twitter) couldn't help but notice the fur coat Maryam Nawaz had adorned with one user writing, "Inflation is ending in Punjab - Maryam Nawaz. The fur coat is currently worth 24,000 dollars to 71,000 dollars, the price of glasses is 1,140 dollars, Hermes Birkini bags are 60,000 dollars, making fun of Pakistanis."

 

Another social media user criticised Maryam's presence abroad, writing, "Smog will be fixed in a few years, says Maryam Nawaz while cosplaying as Sicilian Mafia donned with "fox fur" breathing fresh air in london as Form-47 CM of Punjab where Millions suffer with persistent Respiratory diseases, flu, cough, headache etc."

 

One user wrote, "Maryam Nawaz's most recent public appearance shows that the govt is not taking this issue seriously. So many ppl in this country could fix this issue and advise our politicians on optics. From jokes being made to moving to Karachi, to fur lapels and blaming old cars. We're doomed."

 

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari took to X to post a screenshot of Air Quality Indexes of different cities with Karachi having a relatively better score. Bhutto wrote, “Dear Pakistan, move to Karachi. 😎”

Interestingly enough, this isn't the first time Maryam Nawaz has come under criticism from the public for wearing expensive items. In 2022, when Pakistan was hit with devastating floods, Maryam Nawaz was seen wearing a fur coat (Ermanno Scervino) worth $4,648 (Rs1,029,789.5 including duties & handling fees included), according to News 360.