Title: Maryam donning police uniform stirs controversy
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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's decision to don a police uniform at a passing out parade for lady constables stirred controversy and divided opinion on social media.
While the government claimed she wore the uniform to boost the police's morale, critics saw it as grandstanding and questioned the legality of a civilian wearing a police uniform.
This attempt to go the extra mile by the head of the province was not seen in good light by netizens either.
However, the police were quick to come to their boss' rescue.
They cited a notification, apparently issued on January 30th, whereby police regulations were relaxed to permit the province's governor and chief minister to wear the uniform on certain occasions to encourage the police personnel and troops. The date of the notification remained an enigma since it was not in the public domain before Thursday.
Many saw it as a cover-up by the police to counter the criticism of the government and to project Maryam Nawaz’s decision in a good light. Moreover, the notification was issued by the IG Punjab, a subordinating officer.
Commenting on the matter, a former senior cabinet member of the outgoing caretaker government denied knowledge of any such notification.
Read Video of Maryam 'snubbing' Uzma Kardar goes viral
He added that to claim that for this notification to be issued during their tenure, there must have been a reason and the IG should explain as to why it was sought from them. “Can IG Punjab be allowed to wear a uniform of a general? Why has this government become so desperate for good optics?” he said.
"It was beneath the CM to act in such a puerile manner," added the former cabinet member.
However, IG Punjab said that the practice was not out of the ordinary as any senior government officer or functionary can wear the uniform for ceremonial purposes.
Regarding the notification, the former cabinet member revealed that the notification was issued to silence PTI workers who had stirred up a storm on the internet by questioning the legality of the act.
The source also informed The Express Tribune that even Nawaz Sharif had worn a police uniform when he was a minister.
Furthermore, many police officers even posted Maryam’s picture in police uniform as their profile picture on social platforms.
A lawyer later in the day approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) where he filed a petition against Maryam for wearing the uniform without "lawful authority" and sought to register an FIR against her.
Former caretaker CM Punjab Hasan Askari, who is also a senior political analyst, said that this was not a "fancy dress show".
"Maryam should strive to maintain the stature of her higher office instead of stooping to such a level." He added that wearing a police uniform for an executive head is akin to belittling the chief minister's office.
Published Date: 26-Apr-2024
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