Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz on Monday was elected as Punjab’s chief minister amid a boycott by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) of the polls.
Maryam, who has become the first-ever female chief minister in Pakistan’s history, won the election after receiving the backing of 220 MPAs in the provincial assembly.
After announcing the result, the speaker invited CM-elect Maryam Nawaz to come to the seat of the leader of the House.
She started her speech by congratulating the newly-elected speaker and deputy speaker.
“I wanted the opposition to be present in this democratic process,” said Maryam, extending an olive branch to the opposition in her maiden speech. She also thanked her party lawmakers, allied parties Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) members for voting in her favour.
“This is the honour of every mother, sister and daughter that a woman has been elected as the CM and I pray that the process continues and more women take my place as the leader of the house,” she expressed.
“I neither have a feeling of revenge or vengeance and my journey includes my arrest, my father’s arrest, my mother’s passing away,” she said.
The Punjab CM-elect further thanked the opposition for making her “pass through” all the “ordeal” which helped her reach in the province’s top office.
“On this occasion, I thank my late mother too as she knowingly and unknowingly trained me for this day. She is still present with me, her prayers and best wishes. She taught me how to face trials,” said Maryam.
“I am thankful that you have made me occupy the seat from where a visionary leader like Nawaz started his career [and] who later made Pakistan invincible with nuclear technology,” said the newly-elected chief minister.
She said that the senior PML-N leaders including Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif were her mentors. “I consider this office as a big responsibility on my shoulders,” she added.
She also hoped to rise above the political polarisation to serve Punjab, assuring that she will resolve the issues of her opponents’ constituencies regardless of their party affiliation.
In her victory speech, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to her father who, she said, “handheld” her from the general elections till the position she was in today.
“From the day I was nominated as Punjab CM, Nawaz Sharif chalked out a five-year plan for the province and gave me valuable advice every day,” she said.
“I want to take this moment and tell the youth that you should respect your parents […] because the prayer of our parents takes us to the position where we never envisioned to be,” Maryam added.
She also vowed to take forward the legacy of the PML-N.
“I was born in an affluent household but the difficulties I have faced, I got a chance to hold direct interaction with the common people and I am aware of their problems […] I know the expectations they have from the government.
“Therefore, from today onwards, after the oath, I will go to my office and begin the implementation of my manifesto,” she said.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a Ramazan relief package, Nigheban, for the province.
She said it includes essentials worth Rs6.5 million – Rs7 million which would be distributed to the public in packages during Ramazan. “The package will be delivered to their doorstep.”
Maryam added that market places providing essential items at subsidised rates will also be set up.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that she has plans to transform Punjab into an “economic hub” by creating an enabling environment for businessmen.
In her victory speech, she said the government’s job was to create policies rather than conduct business, adding that she had plans to enhance public-private partnership.
She added that “incentives were necessary” for the private sector in order to foster economic stability.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that free medicines will be provided at every government hospital across the province from today onwards.
She also vowed to build one state-of-the-art hospital in every city of Punjab, which will include specialised departments.
Maryam also stated that Punjab’s first air ambulance will be announced within the next 12 weeks to improve healthcare for the people living in mountainous and hilly areas.
She said that a afety of women in the province was her first priority. “Therefore, I am announcing a dedicated helpline for women,” she said.
She said women would also be provided proper facilities, including separate washrooms and daycare centres, at workplaces.
“Harassing any woman is Maryam Nawaz’s red line,” she affirmed.
CM Maryam also lauded Gulber Circle ASP Shehr Bano for protecting the life of a teenage girl wearing a dress with Arabic calligraphy printed on it from an attack by a charged mob in Lahore yesterday.
