Lahore (Pakistan News): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has shared a video on social media showing the arrest of a man accused of assaulting a petrol pump employee, saying that those who consider the poor inferior because of their wealth and power will have to answer to the law.
The video shared by Maryam Nawaz shows the man in police custody, with footage depicting him delivering a forceful slap to the petrol pump employee.
In her message accompanying the video, the Punjab chief minister said the arrest was a slap in the face of arrogant and unruly people who consider the poor beneath them and believe that wealth and power place them above the law, allowing them to do whatever they want without facing punishment.
Maryam Nawaz said that, as chief minister, she stands with victims regardless of how powerful their abusers may be. She added that wealth, influence, or political connections cannot shield anyone from accountability before the law.
She said justice was not the exclusive right of the rich and powerful but a fundamental right of every citizen. No one is above the law, and no victim should be left alone simply because the person standing against them has money or power.
The Punjab chief minister pledged to make every possible effort to ensure justice for victims, saying no one would be allowed to escape accountability through money or influence.
CM Did Not Sleep Until Woman Assault Suspect Was Arrested: Uzma Bukhari
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, speaking about the assault on a woman riding a scooter in Lahore and the attack on a petrol pump employee, said that those involved in both incidents had been arrested.
According to Uzma Bukhari, the man accused of assaulting the scooter-riding woman was arrested within a few hours. She said the Punjab chief minister did not sleep last night until the suspect in the woman's assault case had been arrested.
The information minister said the chief minister believes the state should become the complainant in cases involving crimes against women and children. According to her, Maryam Nawaz stands with every vulnerable, poor, and oppressed person, and such crimes will be difficult to eliminate unless powerful individuals are made examples of for committing them.
Uzma Bukhari said the chief minister had also expressed her willingness to meet the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court to discuss available information and relevant matters. She added that the government was prepared to establish special courts or introduce new legislation if necessary to ensure speedy trials.
Case Involving Foreign Woman Will Also Be Pursued: Uzma Bukhari
The information minister also discussed the case involving an Azerbaijani woman, saying that financial dealings had allegedly emerged as an aspect of the matter and that the government would pursue the case.
According to her, a co-accused in the sexual assault case involving the woman had stated that other individuals were also involved. She said the case also included allegations of kidnapping and robbery, adding that the suspects would not be allowed to go free.
Uzma Bukhari said the government had no desire to stage police encounters. However, she added that anyone who attempted to escape by using force could not be allowed to do so.