Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz says she does not want to shut down businesses but warns that violations of food safety and environmental regulations will not be tolerated. She issued a stern warning to restaurant owners and food-industry operators, declaring that no business will be spared if it compromises food quality, hygiene or public health.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Punjab Innovation for Value Creation and Transformation (PIVOT) project, Maryam said she had no intention of shutting down businesses or depriving workers of their livelihoods. However, she made it clear that maintaining standards would remain non-negotiable. “I have no desire to shut down anyone’s business, but there will be no compromise on standards,” she said, warning restaurant owners to prepare for strict government monitoring. In an emphatic message, she cautioned those violating regulations that the provincial administration would take action against them.
She also stressed that inspection alone should not automatically result in factory closures, arguing that shutting down industrial units affects workers who depend on daily wages. Instead, she directed relevant departments to monitor industries, issue warnings and ensure compliance with environmental laws while avoiding unnecessary closures. The chief minister said the government wanted industries to become environmentally sustainable without undermining economic activity and employment.
مجھے شوق نہیں کسی کا کاروبار بند کرنے کا لیکن ۔۔ریسٹورنٹ مالکان ہو شیار، کوئی نہیں بچ سکے گا،وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب آتےہی چھا گئیں! #DunyaNews #DunyaVideos #LatestNews #MaryamNawaz https://t.co/MadrhZGLET
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Turning to urban governance, Maryam claimed that the land-grabbing mafia and what she described as the dalla culture had been eliminated from Punjab. She said the administration was removing encroachments that had remained in place for decades. “Roads are meant for passage, not stalls,” she said, adding that designated spaces had been established for pushcart vendors to prevent obstruction of public roads.
Maryam also reiterated her administration's commitment to combating corruption and bribery within government institutions. She warned that public officials found accepting bribes or abusing their authority would face dismissal. She further declared that she would resign immediately if anyone proved even a single rupee of corruption against her.
Addressing Punjab's economic prospects, she highlighted the province's contribution to Pakistan's GDP and said political instability, strikes and vandalism discouraged investment and disrupted the livelihoods of workers and entrepreneurs. She argued that protecting public infrastructure and ensuring a stable business environment were essential for industrial growth.
The chief minister also described young people as Pakistan's greatest asset, emphasising the need to equip them with modern technology, education and practical skills to expand employment opportunities.
The PIVOT initiative, she said, reflected the government's commitment to innovation, industrial transformation and preparing young people for emerging economic challenges. Her remarks placed food safety enforcement, environmental compliance, anti-encroachment measures and economic development at the centre of the provincial government's governance agenda.