I have no desire for ‘revenge’, says Maryam Nawaz after becoming first female

Maryam, who has become the first-ever female chief minister in Pakistan’s history, won the elections after receiving the backing of 220 MPAs in the provincial assembly.

Her opponent, Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) candidate Rana Aftab Ahmad, did not get any votes as the party boycotted the elections after they were stopped from speaking.

She started her speech by congratulating the newly-elected speaker and deputy speaker.

“I wanted the opposition to be present in this democratic process,” said Maryam while extending an olive branch to the opposition in her maiden speech. She also thanked her party lawmakers, allied parties Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) members for voting in her favour.

“This is the honour of every mother, sister and daughter that a woman has been elected as the CM and I pray that the process continues and more women take my place as the leader of the house,” she expressed.

“I neither have a feeling of revenge or vengeance and my journey includes my arrest, my father’s arrest, my mother’s passing away,” she said.

The Punjab CM-elect further thanked the opposition for making her “pass through” all the “ordeal” which helped her reach in the province’s top office.

“On this occasion, I thank my late mother too as she knowingly and unknowingly trained me for this day. She is still present with me, her prayers and best wishes. She taught me how to face trials,” said Maryam in her winning speech.

“I am thankful that you have made me occupy the seat from where a visionary leader like Nawaz started his career [and] who later made Pakistan invincible with nuclear technology,” said the newly-elected chief minister.

She said that the senior PML-N leaders including Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif were her mentors. “I consider this office as a big responsibility on my shoulders,” she added.

She also hoped to rise above the political polarisation to serve Punjab, assuring that she will resolve the issues of her opponents’ constituencies regardless of their party affiliation.

Maryam shares vision for next five years

Vowing to start work from today, Maryam said that the reforms are required in the economy’s backbone with facilitation of businessmen and small medium enterprises.

“I desire to make Punjab an economic hub by empowering businessmen and we will provide one-window solution for establishing and running businesses,” she promised.

“We will facilitate the business community so that they can attract investment in the province,” she added.

The newly-elected CM said that she has zero tolerance against corruption.

Speaking about the upcoming month of Ramadan, Maryam said that her government will establish Ramadan Sasta Bazaars across the province for the inflation-hit people.

“A body will regulate prices in the market so that no commodity is sold more than the fixed rates,” she added.

In a bid to improve the school curriculum in the province, Maryam said that it will be revised to upgrade it to modern education. She also said schools of the province would be improved through public-private partnerships.

Speaking about the health sector of Punjab, Maryam vowed to build a major hospital in each district of Punjab which would have units for cancer and kidney treatment as well. She also announced to provide free medicines in public hospitals.

“Within 12 first weeks, we will launch Punjab’s first air ambulance service,” she promised, adding that she has directed 1122 to establish an organised fleet of ambulance for the motorways.

Maryam added she would re-introduce Nawaz Sharif’s health card in an effective manner across the province.

Highlighting the issue of harassment, the CM-elect said that she wants to launch an exclusive helpline for women.

“The women who go out of her house for any necessity should be protected,” she said.

She further talked about equality, saying that women should be given loans equal to men. She added that her government would try to establish a daycare centre at every workplace.

CM-elect Maryam also vowed to provide rights and protection to marginalised…