Maryam Nawaz’s 60-page advertisement showing one-year performance receives backlash
A 60-page advertising supplement showcasing Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s one-year performance published in Pakistan’s leading newspapers has sparked a furious row.
Maryam Nawaz received immense backlash for focusing on her personal branding and spending millions of taxpayer funds. It is perhaps the first time a provincial government has published a full-page advertising supplement to highlight its annual performance.
Journalist Omar Quraishi shared pictures from the supplement in a post on social media platform X saying, “Sometimes a PR effort itself becomes a PR fiasco. This is one such example. 60-page supplement taken out & paid for by Government of Punjab in national newspapers. I counted 368 pictures of the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. That’s around 6.13 pics per page.”
Sometimes a PR effort itself becomes a PR fiasco
This is one such example 👇🏽
60-page supplement taken out & paid for by Government of Punjab in national newspapers
I counted 368 pictures of the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif
That’s around 6.13 pics per page pic.twitter.com/HVQpcfqAkK
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) February 27, 2025
In a post, satirist and comedian Shafaat Ali said, “All these double sided ads in today’s newspaper, what a shameless waste of taxpayers money! Whoever thinks splurging public funds like Mr Beast will make Maryam Nawaz insanely popular is living in a fool’s paradise. This is outrageous, ridiculous nonsense and a blatant abuse of taxpayer money!”
All these double sided ads in today’s newspaper, what a shameless waste of taxpayers money! Whoever thinks splurging public funds like Mr Beast will make Maryam Nawaz insanely popular is living in a fool’s paradise. This is outrageous, ridiculous nonsense and a blatant abuse of… pic.twitter.com/kQcMbEzp8S
— Shafaat Ali (@iamshafaatali) February 26, 2025
“This might be the first time a government has published an entire supplement in newspapers regarding its performance. Such supplements are typically published by expos, embassies, and large companies,” quipped journalist Riaz-ul-Haq.
Former Senator Farhatullah Babar commented that a 60-page supplement at public expense was a monstrosity. “Whosoever placed 170 pictures of CM Punjab in its first 30 pages has done a monstrous disservice to her & her government,” he opined on X.
A newspaper supplement to advertise performance is understandable. But the 6o-page supplement today at public expense is a monstrosity. Whosoever placed 170 pictures of @MaryamNSharif in its first 30 pages has done a monstrous disservice to her & her government.
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) February 26, 2025
ان اخبارات کا اب سے صحافت سے کوئی تعلق نہیں، کیا ان کو پنجاب حکومت کا تشہیری پلیٹ فارم سمجھا جائے۔حکومت کی چاپلوسی کا شوق اور معاوضہ تو ختم ہو جائے گا ، مگر گنوائی ہوئی ساکھ کبھی حاصل نہیں ہو سکے گی۔ ان اخبار مالکان اور ایڈیٹرز نے صحافت کے سر شرم سے جھکا دئیے ہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/hKW60vRzKE
— Absa Komal (@AbsaKomal) February 26, 2025
Meanwhile, TV host Absa Komal, while sharing the pictures of newspapers on X, wrote in a caption, “These newspapers are no longer associated with journalism—should they now be considered mere publicity platforms for the Punjab government? The eagerness to flatter the government and the financial gains may eventually fade, but the lost credibility will never be restored. The owners and editors of these newspapers have brought shame to the profession of journalism.”
Another social media user said, “All dictators and tyrants share an obsession with oversized images of themselves plastered everywhere. Imagine how unpopular Maryam Nawaz must be if she has to use taxpayers’ money to run ad campaigns to convince taxpayers of her popularity.”
All dictators and tyrants share an obsession with oversized images of themselves plastered everywhere.
Imagine how unpopular Maryam Nawaz must be if she has to use taxpayers’ money to run ad campaigns to convince taxpayers of her popularity.
The world has evolved, but these… pic.twitter.com/MbJVv6JrxE
— Hussain Nadim (@HNadim87) February 26, 2025
Another social media user pointed out, “It seems like the government of Punjab has published a 60-page advertisement, most of which is more focused on images of Maryam Nawaz Sharif than on actual performance reports.”
A user highlighted that the front pages of all major Urdu newspapers in Pakistan were completely identical—the same headlines, subheadings, news, and images, published without any alterations..