'Doors to heart, office open to opp just as much as for allies', says Maryam in maiden PA speech

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz secured on Monday a comfortable lead over PTI-nominated Rana Aftab to become the first women chief minister of the province. The PML-N leader swept the contest after securing 220 votes while the PTI-designate secured none as his party had boycotted the election. مریم نوازشریف صاحبہ 220 ووٹ حاصل کرکے پنجاب کی پہلی خاتون وزیراعلیٰ منتخب pic.twitter.com/s03uBs9KBq — PMLN (@pmln_org) February 26, 2024 In her maiden speech, Maryam thanked God and her supporters for the win and took a conciliatory tone towards the opposition. “I want to give a message to the opposition: the doors of my chamber and heart will always remain open for them as they are for my party members.” “Today, I am upset that the respectable members of the opposition benches are not present here. I wish they would be a part of the political and democratic process," said the newly-elected chief minister. “If the opposition was present today, and if they had protested during my speech, I would have been happy." Maryam was contesting against Rana Aftab, whom the PTI selected for the coveted role after its initial nominee, Mian Aslam, faced threats of arrest. Shortly after the session started, Sunni Ittehad Council members comprising PTI-backed MPAs walked out of the assembly. The 103 lawmakers of the party walked out in protest after the PTI nominee for the chief minister slot was not given a chance to speak at the point of order. On Sunday, the legislature's speaker, Malik Ahmed Khan, deemed the nomination papers submitted by Maryam and Aftab as valid after scrutiny. He subsequently announced an election for the Punjab chief minister's post during Monday's assembly session. The PTI named Rana Aftab as its new candidate for Punjab chief minister following attempts by Punjab Police to arrest its previous nominee, Mian Aslam. PTI Secretary General Hammad Azhar wrote on X that Mian Aslam had been nominated by the party's founder, Imran Khan, but due to the Punjab Police's presence to arrest him, the leadership altered its plan. He stated that PTI, in consultation with Mian Aslam, nominated Rana Aftab as the new candidate. Read High stakes as Punjab readies for CM vote today Azhar detailed Rana Aftab's background, stating he has been elected to the Punjab Assembly five times. He claimed the party has the support of 212 MPAs, while PML-N only has 40 "true members" according to Form 45. Describing the PML-N as a "democracy raider," Azhar alleged that the rest of its members in the assembly were the result of "rejected February 9 forgeries." In response, PML-N central spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed the PTI's change in the nominee for Punjab chief minister was its first "U-turn”. She stated that after her election, Maryam would announce a development roadmap and measures for women's uplift.

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