‘Very easy for me to cut off their food, heating’: Who is Maryam Nawaz talking about?

In a vague jibe at the opposition, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has said that as the provincial chief executive, it was in her power to cut off food, heating and other amenities for her opponents.

While CM Maryam did not name anyone, netizens speculate whether her statement was aimed at jailed former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan, who, when in power, publicly boasted getting air-conditioners and televisions removed from the jail cells of then incarcerated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.

Addressing a cheque distribution ceremony at the University of Sargodha under the Honhaar Scholarship Programme on Wednesday, CM Maryam called out the opposition, saying, “It is easy for me to cut off one's food, heater and fan in my authority as the chief minister.”

Recalling the ordeal of her father Nawaz Sharif, uncle and now PM Shehbaz Sharif, and brothers as well as herself, she said they faced hardships for nearly six years. “My father, my uncle and my brother remained in jail during the [current] opposition’s reign.”

CM Maryam was referring to the sentences awarded to her family, herself and other senior leaders of the PML-N in connection with corruption cases that they maintained were politically motivated.

Calling out the ousted premier for facing “karma”, the Punjab CM said that she was arrested in front of her father. “I was locked up in Adiala Jail when I received the news of my mother’s death.”

She lambasted the opposition over their politics of agitation and said she did not understand how someone who used youngsters as political fuel could go to bed at night. 

CM Maryam also urged students to not go against the country under any circumstances. “Someone who asks you to take over or set your country ablaze is not your friend.”

Continuing to refer to May 9 riots, she also commented on the sentencing of former premier Khan’s nephew Hassaan Niazi'.

“He had rightly been punished as his conduct was an absolute disgrace to the nation,” she said, but, added that she couldn’t imagine what his parents were going through seeing their son sentenced for 10 years.

On December 26, 2024, a military court awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to Hassaan Niazi in connection with the ransacking of the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence (Jinnah House) in Lahore.