Maryam Nawaz, the Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), made history by becoming the first female Chief Minister of Punjab on Monday. Her appointment came despite a boycott by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
The Punjab Assembly session, presided over by newly-elected Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, started late. Maryam Nawaz won the Chief Ministerial position by defeating the SIC candidate, Rana Aftab Ahmed.
During the session, the SIC candidate requested to speak but was denied by the speaker. This led to SIC members walking out and announcing a complete boycott of the Chief Minister’s election.
The PML-N, with the backing of 224 Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs), secured Maryam Nawaz’s victory. On the other hand, the SIC supported Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Aftab Ahmad Khan, who had the backing of 103 MPAs.
To win the Chief Minister position, a candidate needed the support of 187 members in the 327-member house.
The PML-N and SIC were expected to hold separate meetings of their parliamentary parties before the CM election.
Before this, Malik Ahmad Khan was elected as the new Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, securing 225 votes against the SIC candidate, as outgoing Speaker Sibtain Khan presided over a session marked by slogans between PML-N and SIC members.