Punjab Assembly’s Members To Take Oath Today

The newly-elected members of the 18th Punjab Assembly are poised to take their oath today as the provincial legislature kicks off its inaugural session. Among the five assemblies that underwent polls on February 8, the Punjab Assembly is the first to convene its opening session, scheduled to commence at 10 am on Friday.

Punjab Governor Baligh Ur Rehman issued a notification in this regard, and the oath will be administered by Speaker Sibtain Khan to the newly elected members. This announcement follows a parliamentary meeting held a day earlier with the elected members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at Jati Umra in Lahore.

Read more: Results Declared For Balochistan Assembly Elections 2024

According to party sources, a total of 218 members participated in the meeting, comprising independent members, PML-N MPAs, and those nominated for reserved seats. It is noteworthy that 186 members are required to form the government in Punjab.

Among the newly elected members, Maryam Nawaz is a notable figure stepping into the provincial legislature. She is also nominated as the party’s candidate for the chief minister position after securing victories in both national and provincial assembly seats — NA-119 and PP-159, respectively — in the February 8 polls.

During the meeting, Maryam expressed her commitment to serving the province in a manner that would set a precedent for good governance nationwide. In a media interaction outlining her plans for Punjab, the CM-hopeful stated, “A new era is dawning in Punjab. I extend my congratulations to PML-N for securing victory [and attaining a majority in the Punjab Assembly].”

If elected, Maryam will make history as the first woman to hold the chief minister’s office in Pakistan’s over seven-decade history. She would govern a province with a population exceeding 127 million, representing more than half of Pakistan’s total population. Holding positions as PML-N’s senior vice-president and chief organizer, Maryam views her nomination as Punjab’s first chief minister as a “significant honor,” dedicated to the women of Pakistan. The inauguration of the Punjab Assembly marks a significant moment in the political landscape, setting the stage for the commencement of legislative activities and the potential historic appointment of Maryam Nawaz as the chief minister.