LAHORE – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz made history on Monday as she became the first female chief minister of Punjab amid a boycott by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
Newly-elected Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan presided over the session, which started with a delay. She has defeated SIC candidate Rana Aftab Ahmed also to become the first CM of Pakistan.
As the session began, the SIC candidate sought permission to speak but it was turned down by the speaker. The denial led to the walkout by the SIC members, who later announced a complete boycott of the CM election.
Maryam Nawaz secured 220 votes while the SIC candidate received no vote as his party and allies had boycotted the session.
The daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif later addressed the session and thanked the PPP, IPP and other parties for their support.
She also recalled the days when she was put in a death cell after her arrest in the corruption case. She said her father was arrested in front of her.
In a message for the opposition, Maryam said she is also the chief minister of those who had not given vote to her.
“I faced the tough times with courage as it was what taught by my mother to me,” she said, adding that she had no desire for revenge.
Sharing her vision for development in Punjab, she expressed her resolve to serve the people of the province without any distinction.
How Many Votes Were Required to Win CM Election?
A candidate needs to secure the support of 187 members in the house 327 to win the CM slot.
The PML-N and SIC are expected to hold separate meetings of the parliamentary parties ahead of election for the CM.
On Saturday, Malik Ahmad Khan was elected as the new speaker of the Punjab Assembly on Saturday.
Outgoing Speaker Sibtain Khan presided over the Punjab Assembly session with members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) raising slogans against each other.
Malik secured 225 votes against Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) candidate.
