On February 26, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari, issued a strong rebuke of an “unethical and malicious” social media campaign targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. In a video statement, Bokhari said that the campaign had been propelled by the “Fitna Party’s social media brigade” and some absconding YouTubers, who claim to be journalists, were involved.

The minister expressed disappointment over some within the journalism community accepting these individuals, stating that their actions besmirch the profession. Bokhari emphasized that actions against these “so-called journalists” are misrepresented as political victimization or attacks on freedom of expression.

Since 2014, Maryam Nawaz has been the subject of the online smear campaign, shared Bokhari, which she argued raises serious questions about the professional standards of those involved.

Bokhari stated that the persistent smear campaign has not only been ineffective in harming the Chief Minister but has also unveiled the true motives of certain social media elements. She urged the public to disregard this “unethical propaganda” and support truthful and responsible discourse.