Islamabad: Maryam Nawaz, accompanied by her father, Nawaz Sharif, uncle Shehbaz Sharif, and other family members and supporters, took the oath of office as Punjab’s first-ever female Chief Minister. The ceremony, held at the Governor House and administered by Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, marked a historic moment for Pakistan.
Maryam Nawaz’s election as Chief Minister came during a session of the Punjab Assembly, where she secured a majority of 220 votes. The opposition parties, led by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), chose to boycott the proceedings, resulting in her competitor, SIC’s Rana Aftab, failing to secure any votes.
The attendance of prominent figures, including her father, Nawaz Sharif, uncle Shehbaz Sharif, cousins Hamza and Suleman Shehbaz, husband Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar, and other political allies and former ministers, highlighted the significance of the occasion.
Maryam Nawaz’s ascent to the role of Chief Minister represents a significant milestone in Pakistani politics, signaling a shift towards greater gender inclusivity and empowerment. Her election reflects the continued influence of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party in Punjab and underscores the family’s longstanding political legacy in the region.
