Authorities in Gujrat have issued a show cause notice to the principal of a government college for hoisting a flag featuring Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s picture alongside Pakistan’s national flag on the college building.
Deputy Director of Colleges Gujrat, Shoaib Butt, told BBC that the college principal submitted a written explanation in response to the notice. In his statement, the principal said he was deeply inspired by Maryam Nawaz’s initiatives in Punjab, which is why he chose to display her image on the flag.
گجرات میں سرکاری کالج پر وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب کی تصویر والا جھنڈا لگانے پر پرنسپل کو شوکاز نوٹس pic.twitter.com/tQEdzseQ48
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) October 15, 2025
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has often faced criticism for promoting Maryam Nawaz’s image through government projects. Opposition parties and members of the public have frequently objected to her pictures appearing on ration packs, subsidized flour bags, and other provincial programs.
In response, the Punjab government has maintained that such publicity aims only to inform the public about government initiatives and performance.
A similar incident recently took place in Kharian tehsil of Gujrat district, where videos circulating on social media showed a flag bearing Maryam Nawaz’s picture hoisted alongside the national flag on the roof of Government Graduate College for Boys.
The college principal later clarified that he made the decision to display the flag in his personal capacity.