Punjab Police defend Maryam donning uniform

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz garnered both appreciation and criticism for showing up at a police passing-out parade event wearing the police uniform, with the provincial police defending her move of donning the uniform.

The Punjab Police issued a statement assuring that the chief minister was, in fact, “entitled” to wear it as per the Punjab Police Dress Regulations.

Dressed in the khaki shirt, bottoms, a hat on her head and a police baton in tow, the chief minister inspected a passing-out parade of lady constables and traffic assistants at the Police Training College, Chung, while wearing a police uniform the other day.

This move by the chief minister not only garnered appreciation but also led to criticism from people. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the police wrote: “This has been widely celebrated by the police personnel, who view it as a commendable show of solidarity. The Central Police Office has received hundreds of messages in which police personnel have lauded this step.”

The law enforcement department further stated the female police officers were, in fact, celebrating the event, adding they had also shared various pictures of CM Maryam sporting the uniform.

Punjab Police also shared a notification issued on January 30, 2024, allowing the provincial governor and chief minister to wear the uniform on formal occasions such as parades, police darbars, visiting police establishments, or any such occasion as specified, for encouraging police personnel and troops.

The department then went on to reveal about its commitment to further improve the law and order situation and to continue the counter-terrorism efforts across the country, as directed by the chief minister in a subsequent meeting held at the Police Training College Chung, Lahore.

Meanwhile, a citizen named Waqar Ali has filed a plea against CM Maryam for wearing the uniform in a Lahore court, insisting that a person cannot wear the uniform of an institution.The petitioner has requested the court to register a case against the Punjab chief minister.

The court asked the petitioner to submit the report of the police station’s front desk and adjourned the hearing till April 29.It may be noted that among her many critics, opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, also criticised CM Maryam for wearing the police uniform to inspect the passing-out parade.Terming Maryam donning police uniform a non-serious act, he said the country was being made a laughing stock through such childish acts.