Public welfare projects maligned through misinformation: Azma

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has termed the opposition’s criticism regarding public sector advertisements as baseless and detached from reality. She stated clearly that “the claims made by the opposition were rooted solely in fake posts — and we cannot shape policy based on misinformation.”

Azma Bokhari said, “If I wanted, I could spin tales of rivers of milk and honey flowing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — but we speak from the ground realities, not from fabricated images.”

She pointed out that some individuals are deliberately misleading the public by portraying every government advertisement as political propaganda.

“There is a clear difference between political publicity and social awareness campaigns,” she emphasised.

In a pointed remark, she said, “For them, posting pictures with dogs is considered social publicity, but when we promote our ‘Apna Ghar, Apni Chhat’ housing scheme, it becomes political?”

The minister stated that the government cannot send out drummers to spread awareness of public welfare initiatives, nor can it hang messages around pigeons’ necks.

“This bill is solely intended to ensure that information about government initiatives reaches the public effectively.”

She acknowledged that some journalist friends have raised objections to the bill, and said those are welcome.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025