Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s response to an assault on a salesgirl in Faisalabad has drawn praise on social media, with users backing her stance against violence towards women and calling for action against those who target vulnerable citizens.
Maryam on Monday responded to a video showing a man assaulting a salesgirl at a lingerie shop in Faisalabad’s Kohinoor Plaza. She warned that anyone who raised a hand against a woman earning an honest living would face the same humiliation.
“Dare to raise your hand against a helpless woman who leaves her home every day to earn an honest living, and be prepared to face the same humiliation. She will have the right and the opportunity to slap you back,” she wrote on X.
The chief minister also shared a video showing the woman slapping the suspect at a police station, writing that those who abused their power would no longer get away with it.
The response prompted several social media users to express support for Maryam, with one writing, “Very good, ma’am. It was right to give him a slap in return. This guy would bribe law enforcement to get off and walk free, then trample the law and the poor underfoot. Well done.”
Another user praised the response as a way of providing quick justice to the poor, writing, “This is the best way for providing quick justice to poor people. Hats off to CM.”
One comment read, “Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the compassionate Chief Minister of Punjab, who cares for the poor—I salute your greatness,” while another said, “Well deserved treatment.”
One person also praised the chief minister for standing up for vulnerable citizens, saying, “This is what true leadership looks like! By standing up for the poor and the vulnerable, the Chief Minister has made it clear that the system of oppression will no longer prevail in Punjab.”
Other comments included, “Now that’s satisfying, folks!” and “No messing with women now!”
However, one user raised concerns about the woman’s safety, writing, “This is all well and good, but what if the girl faces a threat in the future? Who will protect her? The police should investigate themselves instead of bringing the girl into the spotlight.”
According to Faisalabad police, the suspect assaulted the salesgirl after she told him that the shop was exclusively for women. Police said that they had arrested him and initiated legal proceedings.
The incident took place on November 8, according to information shared by the chief minister.
In a similar incident last month, a man was accused of assaulting a petrol pump employee in Lahore. Maryam had also shared a video of the employee slapping the arrested suspect in a police station, saying that she stood firmly with the oppressed regardless of how powerful their oppressors were.
