Maryam Nawaz becomes fourth Sharif family member to rule Punjab

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) seniour vice-president Maryam Nawaz has become the fourth member of the Sharif family to be elected as the chief minister of Punjab to rule the country's largest province.

Before her, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, President Shehbaz Sharif, and Hamza Shehbaz were elected by the provincial legislature to head the top post.

However, the election was held in the absence of the opposition Sunni Ittehad Council lawmakers after they staged a walkout from the Punjab Assembly in protest.

The protest happened when the speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan stopped the PTI nominee for CM Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan from raising the issue of reserved seats on the floor of the house.

According to the results announced by the speaker, the PML-N nominee secured the support of 220 lawmakers, however, SIC has boycotted the voting process.

Nawaz Sharif's daughter was elected chief minister by the votes of MPAs of PML-N, PPP, PML-Q, IPP and PML-Z.

In her maiden speech as Punjab CM, Maryam Nawaz thanked God and her supporters at the provincial legislature.

"My appointment as chief minister is an honour for every woman in the country and I wish this tradition would continue in the future as well," she said.

“Today, I am upset that the respectable members of the opposition are not present here […] I wish they would be a part of the political and democratic process. If the opposition was present today, and if they had protested during my speech, I would have been happy," Maryam added.

The newly-elected CM vowed to work for every lawmaker who voted for her and those who did not.

"[...] My doors and heart will always remain open for the opposition as well as they are for my party members," the three-time premier's daughter said.

CM Maryam has announced a Rs6.5 to 7 million Ramazan relief package, named Nigheban, for the needy people of the province. 

“The package will be delivered to their doorstep,” she added.

She also announced to set up the markets to provide essential items at subsidised prices.

Maryam said that free medicines will be provided at all government-run hospitals in the country's largest province.

She set her aim to launch Punjab's first air ambulance service to improve healthcare facilities for the people living in mountainous areas.

The newly-elected CM also announced a dedicated helpline to ensure the safety of women in the province. 

“Harassing any woman is Maryam Nawaz’s red line,” she said.