Maryam Nawaz Becomes First Woman Chief Minister of Punjab
Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was elected on Tuesday as the first woman chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province.
Nawaz, 50, is a senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. She was elected by the Punjab Assembly, defeating Rana Aftab of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Nawaz’s election is a historic moment for Pakistan, which has a long history of male political dominance. She is the first woman to hold the top office in Punjab, which is home to more than 110 million people.
Nawaz’s victory is also a personal triumph for her and her family. Her father, Nawaz Sharif, was prime minister three times but was ousted from office in 2017 by the Supreme Court. He is currently living in exile in London.
Maryam Nawaz has been a vocal critic of the PTI government, which she accuses of corruption and mismanagement. She has also been a strong advocate for women’s rights.
In her victory speech, Nawaz pledged to work for the betterment of Punjab and to empower women.
“I will not let you down,” she said. “I will work day and night to serve the people of Punjab.”
Nawaz’s election is a significant step forward for women in Pakistan. It is a sign that women are breaking down barriers and entering the political arena in greater numbers.
In the past, there have been a few other women who have held high-level political positions in Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto was the first woman to be elected prime minister of Pakistan in 1988. She served two terms in office.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement for women’s rights in Pakistan. Women have made significant gains in education and employment. However, they still face many challenges, including discrimination and violence.
Nawaz’s election is a sign that Pakistan is moving in the right direction. It is a sign that the country is becoming more inclusive and that women are playing an increasingly important role in society.
Here are some other relevant news stories from the past:
- In 2018, Benazir Bhutto’s daughter, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan. She is the current chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
- In 2020, Fawzia Arshad became the first woman to be elected mayor of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.
- In 2021, Pakistan passed a law that requires political parties to reserve 33% of their seats for women.
These are just a few examples of the progress that women have made in Pakistan in recent years. However, there is still much work to be done. Women continue to face many challenges, including discrimination and violence.
Nawaz’s election is a sign that Pakistan is moving in the right direction. It is a sign that the country is becoming more inclusive and that women are playing an increasingly important role in society.
Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was elected on Tuesday as the first woman chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. Nawaz, 50, is a senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. She was elected by the Punjab Assembly, defeating Rana Aftab…