Controversy has erupted in Punjab following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s donning of a Punjab Police uniform during an inspection of a passing-out parade at the Police Training College, Chung. While the move has sparked both appreciation and criticism, it has raised questions about the appropriateness of such attire for a civilian leader.
In response to the uproar, the Punjab Police department issued a statement asserting the Chief Minister’s entitlement to wear the police uniform under the Punjab Police Dress Regulations. The department highlighted that this move was in line with a notification issued on January 30, 2024, permitting the provincial governor and chief minister to wear the uniform on formal occasions, including parades and visits to police establishments.
The sight of CM Maryam, the first female to lead a provincial government, inspecting the parade while adorned in police attire drew both praise and condemnation from the public. The police department reported receiving numerous messages from personnel commending the gesture as a display of solidarity.
لیڈی پولیس افسروں کی پاسنگ آؤٹ پریڈ پر وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کی پولیس یونیفارم میں شرکت پر لیڈی افسران کا اظہار تشکر ، خواتین کو محکمہ پولیس میں شمولیت کی ترغیب کی جانب وزیر اعلیٰ کے اس اقدام کو سنگ میل کی حیثیت سے دیکھا جارہا ہے ۔
وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب پولیس یونیفارم… pic.twitter.com/8QwWbpYIiy— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) April 25, 2024
However, not all responses were positive. A citizen named Waqar Ali has taken legal action against CM Maryam, filing a plea in a Lahore court, arguing that wearing the police uniform constitutes an infringement on institutional identity. The court has deferred the case, requesting further documentation from the petitioner.
Among the critics is opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, who denounced the Chief Minister’s actions as “non-serious” and detrimental to the country’s image. He asserted that such gestures undermine the seriousness of governance and diminish the nation’s standing on the global stage.
Despite the backlash, the Punjab Police department reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order, citing directives from the Chief Minister to bolster counter-terrorism efforts across the region. The controversy surrounding CM Maryam’s attire underscores the delicate balance between symbolism, tradition, and governance in Pakistan’s political landscape.
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