Maryam Nawaz set to become first woman CM Punjab with support of 227 MPAs

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) seniour vice-president Maryam Nawaz is all set to take oath as the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab as the party secured a simple majority in the provincial legislature with the support of 227 lawmakers.

In the February 8 elections, Nawaz Sharif's party won 133 seats in the Punjab Assembly, however, 23 independent candidates joined PML-N, taking the tally to 156 lawmakers.

PML-N 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 186 members, however, PML-N's nominee has the support of 227 lawmakers, including PPP's 14, PML-Q's 10, IPP's 6.

Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman has summoned the first session of the provincial legislature today (February 23).

In the inaugural session, the newly-elected members of the 18th Punjab Assembly will take oath, which will be administered by Speaker Sibtain Khan at the provincial assembly’s chambers.

Earlier, the three-time premier's party vowed that Maryam Nawaz will rebuild Punjab.

Taking to X, the official account of Nawaz Sharif's party wrote: "Through thick and thin, Maryam Nawaz Sharif has been the anchor that has held PML-N steady." 

"She rebuilt the party, and she will rebuild Punjab," it added. 

Maryam Nawaz was nominated for the top provincial post by the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif after the former secured victory in the recently held general elections on February 8.

She won the polls on National Assembly (NA-119) and Provincial Assembly (PP-159) seats in Lahore.

However, Nawaz Sharif's daughter has to withdraw from her National Assembly seat if she wants to assume the CM office.

Earlier a week, Maryam Nawaz also took a briefing about the overall situation in Punjab.

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman briefed about the ongoing development works as well as the law and order situation in the province.

Health Secretary Ali Jan Punjab Inspector General Usman Anwar met the PML-N politician in Jatti Umrah on February 16.