Maryam Nawaz elected as first female chief minister of Punjab with 220 votes

LAHORE (92 News) - PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz has been elected as the first female chief minister of Punjab.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan presided over the session. After the voting, Maryam Nawaz bagged 220 votes, while Rana Aftab nominated for the slot of the chief minister got no vote.

The SIC boycotted the voting process when they were not allowed to speak during the session. On the request of Maryam Nawaz, a committee formed by the speaker brought back the SIC members who also again boycotted the session when they were not allowed to speak.

During the voting, MPAs and people present in the galleries chanted slogans 'Long Live Nawaz Sharif'.

Addressing the House after being elected, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that the Nature passed them through difficulties and later blessed them with honour. "We faced cruelty and barbarism. As a party, we did not leave the field open. I am the chief minister of those who did not vote me," he added.

She said that becoming her the chief minister was honour for each mother, daughter and sister. "My doors are open for the opposition," she declared.

The newly-elected chief minister announced the Ramazan Relief Package for the masses, saying that they government would deliver the package at the doorstep of seven million deserving families. "The government will activate Sasta Ramazan Bazaars and the price control committees from today," she declared.

Maryam Nawaz directed the government officers to collect the data of each deserving person after conducting a survey across the Punjab.

She declared that provision of employment and education for the youth was her mission. She announced that the government will bear the educational expenditures of brilliant students in high-ranking universities of the world.

She also announced to restore the Youth Loan, Training and Laptop Schemes. "Students will be given electric motor bikes. They will get the internship stipend of Rs25,000," she added.

The newly-elected chief minister also promised to establish five IT universities in the province in addition to providing free Wifi facility to students.