Punjab’s Crime Rate Plummets, Says Information Minister Azma Bukhari

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari told reporters in Lahore that the province’s overall crime rate has fallen sharply, even as she warned that the increase in rape cases remains a serious concern. Bukhari pushed back against recent media reports suggesting a rise in crime, urging senior journalists to double‑check their facts before sharing stories on social media. She accused some commentators of trying to damage Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s reputation out of jealousy and claimed that certain “prominent journalists” were simply echoing material from propaganda networks.

“I feel sorry for journalists who claim that crime has increased in Punjab. They should verify information before posting on social media,” Bukhari said. She highlighted the chief minister’s zero‑tolerance stance on sexual violence and noted that motor‑vehicle theft had dropped by 75 percent, contributing to an overall crime rate that has moved into negative territory.