Maryam Nawaz becomes the first ever female Punjab CM

Maryam Nawaz has become Pakistan’s first-ever female Punjab Chief Minister.

On Sunday, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz was elected as Punjab’s chief minister amid a boycott by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) of the polls.

Maryam Nawaz was elected CM of Punjab after receiving the backing of 220 MPAs in the provincial assembly session presided over by Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan,

Interestingly, her opponent, Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) candidate Rana Aftab Ahmad, did not get any votes as the party members boycotted the elections after they were stopped from speaking. 

“The votes have been counted according to which Maryam has obtained 220 votes and SIC candidate Rana Aftab Aftab secured zero votes,” said Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan.

Maryam Nawaz in her inaugural speech congratulated the newly elected speaker and deputy speaker.

“I wanted the opposition to be present in this democratic process,” said Maryam while extending an olive branch to the opposition in her maiden speech. She also thanked her party lawmakers, allied parties Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) members for voting in her favour.

“This is the honour of every mother, sister and daughter that a woman has been elected as the CM and I pray that the process continues and more women take my place as the leader of the house,” she said.

“I neither have a feeling of revenge or vengeance and my journey includes my arrest, my father’s arrest, my mother’s passing away,” she said.

The Punjab CM-elect also thanked the opposition for making her “pass through” all the “ordeal” which helped her reach the province’s top office.

“On this occasion, I thank my late mother too as she knowingly and unknowingly trained me for this day. She is still present with me, her prayers and best wishes. She taught me how to face trials,” said Maryam.

“I am thankful that you have made me occupy the seat from where a visionary leader like Nawaz started his career [and] who later made Pakistan invincible with nuclear technology,” said the newly-elected chief minister.

In her victory speech following the election of the CM, Maryam Nawaz vowed to build one state-of-the-art hospital in every city of Punjab, which will include specialised departments.

She also announced to inauguration of Punjab’s first air ambulance within the next 12 weeks to improve healthcare for the people living in mountainous and hilly areas.

Today’s Punjab Assembly session started almost 40 minutes behind its scheduled time of 11:00 am.