Maryam Nawaz has made a history by swearing in as the first female Chief Minister of Punjab, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s political landscape.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Punjab Governor House, saw Governor Baligh Ur Rehman administering the oath to Maryam.
The event had attendance of notable figures especially members of the Sharif family, such as Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif.
Maryam secured her position as Chief Minister with an overwhelming majority, garnering 220 votes in the provincial assembly.
Her opponent, Rana Aftab Ahmad from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), faced a complete boycott, failing to secure any votes.
Addressing the assembly for the first time, Maryam extended an olive branch to the opposition, expressing a desire for their presence in the democratic process.
She thanked her party members, as well as allied parties like the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) for their support.
Acknowledging the historic nature of her appointment, Maryam emphasized the significance for every woman in Pakistan. “This is the honor of every mother, sister, and daughter that a woman has been elected as the CM,” she said, expressing hope for more women to assume leadership roles in the future.
In her maiden speech, Maryam adopted a conciliatory tone, stating that she harbored no feelings of revenge or vengeance.
She credited her late mother for unknowingly preparing her for this moment.
Expressing gratitude to senior PML-N leaders, including Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam characterized the role as a significant responsibility.
She pledged to rise above political polarization and address the issues of constituencies irrespective of party affiliations.
Detailing her vision for the next five years, Maryam prioritized economic reforms, aiming to transform Punjab into an economic hub by empowering businesses. She emphasized zero tolerance for corruption and promised a one-window solution for business establishment.
In response to the challenges of inflation, Maryam announced the establishment of Ramadan Sasta Bazaars across the province, ensuring regulated prices. She outlined plans for the education sector, including a curriculum overhaul and public-private partnerships to improve schools.
Maryam also committed to building major hospitals in each district, providing free medicines in public hospitals, and launching Punjab’s first air ambulance service within 12 weeks. She vowed to reintroduce Nawaz Sharif’s health card effectively and address issues such as harassment through a dedicated helpline for women.
The CM-elect envisioned a digitalized and paper-free Punjab, announcing the establishment of at least five IT cities and a pilot project for free WiFi in Lahore. She pledged to investigate the Taxila incident and expressed plans to provide solar panels in installments to consumers with lower energy consumption.
