Addressing a public event in Attock on Tuesday, Maryam Nawaz said Chaudhry Salik had claimed that cupboards were filled with corruption cases involving the Punjab government.
She said the federal minister should provide evidence instead of making allegations and warned that she would take the matter to court if he failed to substantiate his claims.
“Chaudhry Salik is a federal minister. Instead of making allegations, he should present evidence. If he has proof, he should bring it forward. I will not tolerate false allegations and will take him to court,” she said.
Maryam also questioned why Chaudhry Salik was serving in the government if he believed it was corrupt.
She said she appointed officials in Punjab on merit and claimed that appointments based on recommendations harmed the country and its people.
The chief minister also suggested that Chaudhry Salik was unhappy because his preferred candidate had not been appointed as deputy commissioner of Gujrat.
Referring to his remarks about the previous Punjab government led by Pervez Elahi, Maryam said he had described it as the best government.
She recalled visiting Gujrat during heavy rainfall, saying the water level was so high that her vehicle became submerged. She blamed the lack of drainage work in the city on the Chaudhry family.
Chaudhry Salik stands by corruption allegations
Responding to Maryam Nawaz's remarks, Chaudhry Salik Hussain reiterated his allegations, saying corruption was taking place in Punjab and that he stood by his statement.
He also said that the issue was not about getting a deputy commissioner appointed, adding that the position was already filled.
Salik said people should remain humble when they are given authority and added that he had responded truthfully.
He further said the matters he had raised were not related to provincial affairs.
