Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari reacts to Maryam Nawaz’s appearance in police uniform

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz came under fire on Thursday after she donned police uniform to attend the passing out parade at the Police Training College in Lahore.

Following the viral images on social media, some praised her beauty, while critics dismissed it as theatrics.

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, the daughter of President Zardari, praised Maryam Nawaz, saying, “Very good, equal representation of women in the police force is commendable.”

A few hours later after the ceremony, a lawyer moved a Lahore court, arguing that a case should be registered against Maryam Nawaz as she was not authorised to wear the police uniform since she was neither a government official nor a member of the police force.

Petitioner Syed Waqar Ali Shah, a lawyer who practices law at the Lahore High Court (LHC), filed the petition under section 22-A and B CRPC for registration of the criminal case against Maryam.

Against this back drop, the Punjab Police came forward to defend the Punjab chief minister's act.

In a statement shared on X later in the evening, the Punjab Police said, "As per the 'Punjab Police Dress Regulations', the CM of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is entitled to wear the police uniform. 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. Female police officers are celebrating the event and have shared various pictures of Madam CM Punjab in uniform. The Punjab Police is committed to further improve the law and order situation and to continue the counter-terrorism efforts across the country, as directed by Madam CM in a subsequent meeting held at the Police Training College Chung, Lahore."