LAHORE (Web Desk) Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Salik Hussain has refused to withdraw his allegations of corruption against the Punjab government, saying he stands by his remarks and will present supporting evidence before the court.
The statement comes amid an escalating political dispute with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who last week served a Rs5 billion defamation notice on the federal minister over his allegations against her government.
Speaking on Geo News programme Capital Talk, Salik said he had no intention of retracting his statements.
“Reality is reality. I stand by it and will continue to,” he said, adding that he would submit evidence in court while responding to the defamation notice.
The PML-Q leader also rejected suggestions that his criticism was influenced by personal or political considerations, despite his elder brother, Shafay Hussain, serving as a minister in the Punjab cabinet.
Salik said he had not been approached by any government representative or PML-N leader following the controversy, except for an earlier meeting with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, during which he explained the context of his remarks.
He criticised the chief minister’s public response, saying political leaders should avoid threatening one another with legal action. He also expressed concern over what he described as personal remarks made against him by Maryam Nawaz and members of her cabinet.
Responding to the chief minister’s demand that he resign from his federal ministerial position, Salik said the PML-Q was part of the coalition government under a political arrangement. He added that it was up to the PML-N to decide whether it still wanted coalition partners.
Dispute over Gujrat deputy commissioner
The controversy has also involved the appointment of the deputy commissioner of Gujrat.
Maryam Nawaz had claimed in a November 3 speech that Salik’s criticism was linked to the replacement of the district’s deputy commissioner, alleging that the minister wanted an official of his choice appointed to the position.
Rejecting the allegation, Salik said his interview in Lahore had been recorded on September 25, whereas the new deputy commissioner was appointed on October 31.
He explained that his family had maintained good working relations with the previous deputy commissioner, who had served for approximately 18 months.
According to Salik, when administrative appointments were being made around that time, his side had recommended an experienced officer familiar with construction and urban development because several development projects in the region were facing delays.
He maintained that no objection had been raised after the appointment of the new deputy commissioner and accused the chief minister of relying on incorrect information.
Security withdrawal raises further concerns
Salik also expressed dissatisfaction over the withdrawal of his security arrangements by the Punjab government following the controversy.
He said Elite Force personnel deployed at his residence in Gujrat had been directed to return to Police Lines after the dispute emerged.
What triggered the controversy?
The political dispute intensified after Salik criticised the performance of the Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government during a television interview.
While praising the performance of his uncle and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, he alleged that complaints of corruption in Punjab were widespread.
He also questioned government expenditure, particularly the use of official aircraft, arguing that public representatives should remain mindful of the country’s economic difficulties.
Salik called for greater accountability of federal and provincial ministers, saying they should have sufficient authority to perform their responsibilities while being held answerable for their performance.
The controversy has exposed political differences within the wider Chaudhry family, whose members have taken different positions since the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan’s government through a no-confidence vote in 2022.
While Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi aligned themselves with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and his sons, including Salik, remained aligned with the PML-N-led political camp.
The latest exchange has added another layer of tension to relations between the coalition partners, with the defamation proceedings potentially shifting the political confrontation into the legal arena.
