How Maryam Nawaz became the first female chief minister in Pakistan's history

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: As the daughter of a former prime minister, Maryam Nawaz has navigated a turbulent path from political outsider to the chief minister of Punjab. Her ascent, marked by imprisonment, legal battles, and accusations of electoral manipulation, reflects the intense and often volatile nature of power within the Pakistani political landscape.

Born in 1973, Maryam Nawaz Sharif initially focused on family-led philanthropic initiatives before entering the political arena in 2012. Her career gained momentum during the 2013 general election, where she managed her father's campaign and later led the Prime Minister's Youth Programme. This early period was defined by controversy; she resigned in 2014 following a Lahore High Court order prompted by allegations of nepotism and questions regarding her academic credentials, including her master's degree and doctoral studies.

The subsequent decade saw Maryam emerge as a central figure in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Following her father's 2017 disqualification, she became a prominent anti-establishment voice, enduring periods of detention and legal challenges, including a 2018 corruption conviction in the Avenfield case. Although this conviction was overturned in 2022, her political journey remained fraught with tension, including a 2019 arrest in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case and ongoing disputes regarding the legitimacy of her party's electoral successes.

In 2024, Maryam achieved a historic milestone by becoming the 19th chief minister of Punjab, the first woman to hold this office. Her tenure has been polarizing. While supporters credit her with launching development programs and fostering job growth, critics point to rising reports of violence against women and police brutality. Furthermore, her administration faces scrutiny over public spending, including the acquisition of a private plane, and accusations of electoral rigging during the 2024 polls that brought her to power.

Her rise has not been without internal friction. Her appointment as senior vice president in 2023 caused significant unrest within the PML-N, leading to the resignations of senior figures like Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. As she continues to lead, Maryam remains a lightning rod for debate, representing both the continuity of the Sharif political dynasty and the deep-seated divisions currently defining Pakistan's governance.

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