Nawaz Sharif’s daughter becomes Pak’s 1st female CM

Mariam Nawaz. Pic/AP

The eldest daughter and close aide of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday became the country's first-ever female chief minister in eastern Punjab province.

Mariam Nawaz, 50, was elected chief minister in a 220-0 vote in her favour, beating out rival for the post, Rana Aftab, who was nominated by the Sunni Ittehad Council, an ally of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Opposition lawmakers supporting Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022, boycotted the session of the 371-member Punjab Assembly.

Nawaz thanked God in televised remarks and promised she would equally serve those who voted for her and those who opposed her. "The doors of my heart and office will remain open for the opposition as well," she said.

Nawaz's appointment was largely expected following the February 8 parliamentary elections in which her father's Pakistan Muslim League party, or PML-N, emerged as the largest party in the National Assembly or lower house of the parliament and in the Punjab Assembly.

Nawaz's appointment was largely expected following the Feb. 8 parliamentary elections in which her father's Pakistan Muslim League party, or PML-N, emerged as the largest party in the National Assembly or lower house of the parliament and in the Punjab Assembly.

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