Today in the Punjab Assembly, the newly-elected Speaker, Malik Ahmad Khan, initiated the voting process for the election of the Chief Minister.
However, members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) boycotted the session, causing disruptions. The session, starting with a delay, saw the SIC members walking out after their request to address the assembly was denied by the speaker.
At the beginning of the session, Speaker Khan administered the oath to two MPAs and assured unbiased proceedings. The speaker informed the Assembly that Maryam Nawaz from PML-N and Aftab Ahmad Khan from SIC were the candidates for the chief minister position after scrutiny of nomination papers.
Subsequently, the voting process was explained, leading to the SIC candidate’s request to address the House on a point of order. However, the speaker refused, resulting in a commotion and the SIC members leaving the assembly. A committee was formed to persuade them to return, but their insistence on addressing the House remained.
Efforts to bring back SIC lawmakers failed, and the speaker continued with the proceedings for electing a new chief minister, with female members casting their votes. The outcome of the election is anticipated to favor Maryam Nawaz, who could make history as Pakistan’s first female chief minister.
Maryam’s opponent, Aftab Ahmad Khan, represents SIC and has the support of 103 MPAs. To win the election, a candidate needs the backing of at least 187 members in the 327-seat house. Separate meetings for parliamentary parties are expected before the assembly session.
If Maryam wins, she will be the fourth member of the Sharif family and the first woman from her family to become Punjab’s chief minister. The PML-N is also in the process of finalizing cabinet members for Maryam’s tenure, including names from allied parties. The cabinet formation is expected to occur in phases, with the first phase comprising ministers from PML-N and allied parties.