Maryam Nawaz set to become first woman CM Punjab today

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) seniour vice-president Maryam Nawaz is all set to become the first female chief minister of Punjab as the provincial legislature will meet today (February 26) to elect the head of the house.

In the February 8 polls, PML-N emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan's largest province with 133 seats in the Punjab assembly.

Almost 23 independent candidates jave also joined PML-N, taking the tally to 156 lawmakers. Nawaz Sharif's party has managed to secure 36 reserved seats for women and 5 for minorities, which raised the party members' strength in the Punjab Assembly to 197.

In order to clinch the coveted post of the Punjab CM, Maryam Nawaz has to bring 187 members, however, PML-N's nominee has the support of 227 lawmakers, including PPP's 14, PML-Q's 10, IPP's 6.

The second session of the 18th Punjab Assembly will be presided over by newly-elected Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan. 

The second largest party in Punjab, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has fielded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Aftab Ahmad Khan as the nominee of Punjab CM, who has the support of 116 lawmakers.

On the pther hand, the PML-N has started finalising the names for Maryam Nawaz's provincial cabinet. 

According to thr sources, Maryam Nawaz will include 15 to 20 ministers in her cabinet from the PML-N and two each from the PPP and PML-Q, and one from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).