Shortly after securing a large lead over PTI-nominated Rana Aftab in the Punjab Assembly to become the province’s first Woman chief minister, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz was sworn in as the chief minister of Punjab at the Governor House on Monday.
With 220 votes, the PML-N leader easily won the race, while the PTI-designate received none because his party had abstained from the poll.
Governor Punjab Baligh-ur-Rehman gave Maryam the oath while her uncle Shehbaz Sharif and father Nawaz Sharif observed from the platform. Senior PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, Shehbaz’s son Hamza, and her son Junaid were among those present at the ceremony.
Maryam expressed thanks to God and her supporters for the victory in her first speech to the Punjab Assembly, and she took a conciliatory stance toward the opposition. “I wish to convey to the opposition that my heart and chamber are always open to them, just as they are to my party members.”
“I am sad that the respected members of the opposition benches are not here today. The newly elected chief minister expressed, “I wish they would be a part of the political and democratic process.”
“I would have been happy if the opposition had been here today and had demonstrated during my speech.”
Her government will serve both those who voted for her and those who did not, she further declared, adding that she had no wish for retaliation from her political rivals.
“Nawaz Sharif provided me with invaluable advice every day and outlined a five-year plan for the province the day I was nominated as Punjab Chief Minister,” Maryam remarked.
The PML-N leader continued, “I want to take this opportunity to tell the youth that you should respect your parents because their prayers take us to places we never imagined we could be.”
The Sharif scion outlined the goals for her provincial government, emphasizing that the PML-N’s vision for Punjab still revolves around the supply of jobs, healthcare, and education. She also mentioned that medication for free would be provided in all provincial hospitals.
Maryam added that the goal was to establish Punjab as a “economic hub” in her victory address.
Maryam was running against Rana Aftab, who PTI chose for the coveted post following threats against its first nominee, Mian Aslam.
Members of the Sunni Ittehad Council, who included MPAs backed by the PTI, left the assembly shortly after it began. After the PTI candidate for chief minister was denied a chance to speak during a point of order, 103 party MPAs left the chamber in protest.
The nomination papers that Maryam and Aftab filed were examined and, on Sunday, the speaker of the legislature, Malik Ahmed Khan, declared them officially valid. Then, during Monday’s assembly session, he said that there would be an election for the position of Punjab chief minister.
After Punjab Police attempted to detain the PTI’s prior choice, Mian Aslam, for chief minister of Punjab, the party announced Rana Aftab as its replacement.
PTI Secretary General Hammad Azhar wrote on X that Mian Aslam was the party’s founder Imran Khan’s nominee, but the leadership changed their decision because Punjab Police were there to apprehend him. He said that PTI had chosen Rana Aftab as the replacement candidate after consulting with Mian Aslam.
Rana Aftab has been elected to the Punjab Assembly five times, according to Azhar, who went into depth about his past. He stated that the PML-N only has 40 “true members” according to Form 45, although the party enjoys the backing of 212 MPAs.
Describing of the PML-N as a “democracy raider,” Azhar claimed that the party’s remaining assembly members were the product of “rejected February 9 forgeries.”
PML-N central spokesman Marriyum Aurangzeb responded by saying that the PTI’s selection of a different candidate for Punjab chief minister was its first “U-turn.” She declared that Maryam would unveil a development agenda and initiatives to support women after win the election.
