LAHORE: In the imminent days, Punjab will witness the historic installment of its first female chief minister.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of PMLN and former prime minister, put forward his daughter Maryam Nawaz’s name for the role of Punjab’s inaugural female chief minister on Tuesday, alongside nominating his brother Shehbaz Sharif for the next prime minister position.
Maryam Nawaz, affectionately dubbed as the “iron lady” within her party, has earned this title through enduring the trials of political strife and incarceration, while simultaneously managing her extensive responsibilities to her family.
Recognized as a trailblazer for her assertive approach within the PMLN, Maryam Nawaz’s influence extends globally, having been listed among the 100 most influential women worldwide in 2017.
Her emergence into aggressive politics followed the Panama Papers case verdict, swiftly garnering substantial public support.
Maryam Nawaz’s fearless demeanor was evident as she confronted political adversaries head-on, standing resolutely beside her father through thick and thin, solidifying her position as his political successor.
Facing adversities since the dismissal of the Nawaz Sharif government in 1999, Maryam Nawaz persisted, enduring house arrest and subsequent exile to Saudi Arabia. Her tenure as the head of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program from November 2013 saw significant initiatives, such as distributing laptops and scholarships to youth, alongside spearheading the party’s presence on social media platforms.
Despite facing disqualification and imprisonment prior to the 2018 elections, Maryam Nawaz refused special treatment in jail and continued her political activism upon release, organizing rallies and challenging the incumbent regime across the nation.
Elevated to the position of chief organizer and senior vice president within the PMLN, Maryam Nawaz played a pivotal role in orchestrating her father’s return and managing the party’s electoral campaign in 2024. Consequently, she has been nominated by the PMLN leadership to assume the role of Punjab’s chief minister.
This nomination marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s political landscape, heralding the imminent swearing-in of Maryam Nawaz as Punjab’s chief minister, thereby shaping a new chapter in the nation’s history.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
