Maryam Nawaz elected first female CM Punjab. Maryam Nawaz, a prominent figure in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has made history by being elected as Punjab’s chief minister, marking the first time a woman has held this esteemed position in Pakistan.
The milestone achievement came as she garnered an overwhelming 220 votes of confidence from members of the provincial assembly, securing her victory in the highly anticipated election.
Meanwhile, her opponent, Rana Aftab Aftab Ahmad of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), faced a setback as the party opted to boycott the polls, resulting in him receiving zero votes.
“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 while presiding the session.
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The electoral proceedings, presided over by Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, were not without their share of controversies and challenges.
Despite assurances of fairness and impartiality, tensions arose when the SIC candidate was denied the opportunity to address the assembly, prompting their walkout and subsequent boycott.
Efforts to coax their return proved futile, compelling the speaker to proceed with the electoral process in their absence.
Maryam Nawaz’s ascent to the chief minister’s office was widely expected, given the PML-N’s commanding majority in the assembly, with 224 members lending their support to her candidacy.
In stark contrast, Rana Aftab Aftab Ahmad found himself with a significantly smaller backing of 103 MPAs. To clinch victory, a candidate needed to secure at least 187 votes in the 327-seat assembly.
Beyond the significance of her gender, Maryam Nawaz‘s electoral triumph holds deeper familial and political resonance.
As a scion of the influential Sharif family, her victory marks the fourth instance of a family member assuming leadership in Punjab.
This legacy includes notable figures such as Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Abbas Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, and Begum Kalsoom Nawaz, all of whom have played pivotal roles in shaping Punjab’s political landscape.
As Maryam Nawaz elected first female CM Punjab, Maryam Nawaz’s path to victory was paved through her successful campaign in Lahore’s PP-159 constituency, where she emerged victorious against a candidate affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), albeit with a slim margin.
