The uniform is an honour as well as a great test, says Punjab chief minister in passing out parade.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz did it again — donned a uniform of the Elite Force while attending a passing-out parade in Lahore on Friday.

Attending the ceremony, Maryam said: "This is not a uniform, it is a national service that comes to the sons and daughters of a few nations." The uniform is an honour as well as a great test, she added.

Not bothered about the harsh criticism she faced last time when she wore a police uniform, Maryam appeared on screens of TV channels wearing the uniform with broad smile on her face.

Late last month, Maryam had caused a stir when she attended a passing-out ceremony for women constables and traffic assistants decked out in a Punjab police uniform.

Addressing the graduating class at Police Training College Chung, the chief minister said “After wearing the police uniform for the first time, I have realised that being a police officer or being sworn in as a CM is a very responsible job. In the chief minister’s office, we take decisions and you get them implemented.” But the chief minister’s decision to attend the ceremony in full police regalia rubbed many the wrong way, especially the opposition PTI.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Yasmin Rashid, Moonis Elahi and Shahbaz Gill criticised Maryam’s decision.

The issue also remained among the top trends on social media, with many users questioning the logic behind the move. A Lahore-based lawyer even went to the trouble of filing a petition before a sessions court, seeking the registration of a case against the Punjab chief minister for “impersonating” a police officer. But in the face of the criticism, both the PML-N and Punjab police defended Maryam’s actions.

“In the whole world, the head of the states can wear the uniform of their forces to enhance their respect. Nawaz Sharif did the same when he was in power and Maryam has followed him,” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said in a statement.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Punjab police shared a copy of the relevant rules that state how governors and chief ministers can dress on formal occasions.

As per the amended Punjab Police Dress Regulations, “Chief minister may wear uniform on formal occasions like review of parades, while addressing police darbars, visiting police establishments or any such occasion as specified, for encouraging the police personnel.” “This has been widely celebrated by the police personnel, who view it as a commendable show of solidarity...,” the police department tweeted.

NNI News Service