On Monday, amidst a boycott by members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the Punjab Assembly elected Maryam Nawaz as the Chief Minister. Her victory marked a groundbreaking moment in Pakistan’s political landscape as she secured 220 votes in the CM election, making her the first female Chief Minister in the country’s history.
The opposing candidate, Rana Aftab Aftab Ahmad of SIC, did not receive any votes due to the party’s decision to boycott the elections after being denied speaking rights.
Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, while presiding over the session, officially announced Maryam’s victory, stating, “Maryam has obtained 220 votes, while SIC candidate Rana Aftab Aftab secured zero votes.”
Following the announcement, Maryam Nawaz was invited to take her place as the leader of the House. She commenced her speech with a recitation and extended her congratulations to the newly-elected speaker and deputy speaker.
Expressing her desire for a participatory democratic process, Maryam remarked on the absence of the opposition due to the SIC’s boycott. She expressed gratitude to her party members, as well as to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) members for their support.
In her winning speech, Maryam acknowledged the significance of her victory for all women, stating, “This is the honor of every mother, sister, and daughter that a woman has been elected as the CM.” She emphasized her commitment to serving Punjab and expressed hope for increased female representation in leadership roles.
Reflecting on her journey, Maryam maintained a spirit of forgiveness, thanking the opposition for the challenges she faced, and crediting her late mother for her guidance and support.
Maryam Nawaz expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of visionary leaders like Nawaz Sharif and vowed to work diligently to fulfill her responsibilities as the newly-elected Chief Minister. She emphasized collaboration beyond political divides and pledged to address the concerns of all constituencies, irrespective of party affiliations.
