LAHORE: Maryam Nawaz Sharif is one of Pakistan’s prominent political figures. The daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, she established her position within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and became chief minister of Punjab in February 2024, making history as the province’s first woman to hold the office.
Born in Lahore on October 28, 1973, Maryam Nawaz’s political journey is closely linked to the Sharif family’s political and business background. Her rise coincided with the growing popularity of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), prompting the PML-N to adopt new strategies to engage younger voters.
Family Background and Entry into Politics
Maryam Nawaz belongs to the Sharif family, which has played a significant role in Pakistani politics for decades. Her father, Nawaz Sharif, has served as prime minister three times, while her uncle, Shehbaz Sharif, has also held the office of prime minister.
The Sharif family’s business interests included the Ittefaq Group, an industrial conglomerate that was nationalised under government policies in the 1970s. The family subsequently regained control of the business during the rule of General Zia-ul-Haq.
Her mother, Kulsoom Nawaz, was a highly educated woman who supported Nawaz Sharif as an adviser and political aide during periods of political difficulty. Following General Pervez Musharraf’s takeover in 1999, the Sharif family went into exile in Saudi Arabia before returning to Pakistan in 2007.
An Active Role in Politics
Maryam Nawaz became increasingly active in public and political life in 2012. Ahead of the 2013 general elections, she played a significant role in the PML-N’s election campaign and helped strengthen the party’s presence on social media.
After Nawaz Sharif formed a government, she was appointed in November 2013 to oversee a youth programme aimed at expanding access to education and vocational training. Her appointment faced allegations of nepotism and legal challenges, prompting her to step down in November 2014.
She subsequently became involved in government communications and social media outreach through the Strategic Media Communication Cell at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Panama Papers and Legal Challenges
The Panama Papers revelations in 2016 placed the Sharif family under considerable political and legal pressure. In 2017, Nawaz Sharif was disqualified from holding public office following a Supreme Court decision and subsequently stepped down as prime minister. Maryam Nawaz also faced legal proceedings alongside her father.
In 2018, Maryam Nawaz was convicted in a corruption-related case. She was later released following legal proceedings and an appeal. In August 2019, she was arrested in connection with a money-laundering investigation and subsequently released on bail.
In September 2022, the Islamabad High Court overturned her 2018 conviction, clearing the way for her return to electoral politics.
From Opposition Politics to Chief Minister of Punjab
In 2020, Maryam Nawaz emerged as a prominent figure in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an opposition alliance that campaigned against the PTI government. Her participation in opposition rallies and protests strengthened her position within the PML-N.
In April 2022, following a successful no-confidence motion against Imran Khan’s government, Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister. Maryam Nawaz continued to play an active role in her party’s political activities and election campaigns.
Following the February 2024 general elections, Maryam Nawaz was elected to the Punjab Assembly. After the PML-N secured enough support in the provincial assembly, she was elected chief minister, becoming the first woman to lead Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province.
Her election also made her the fourth member of the Sharif family to hold the office. Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz Sharif had previously served as chief minister of Punjab.
Personal Life
Maryam Nawaz married Captain (retired) Safdar Awan in 1992. The couple have three children: Mehr-un-Nisa, Junaid and Mahnoor. Her brothers, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, along with other family members, have largely focused on the family’s business interests.
Maryam Nawaz’s political career reflects the influence of family legacy, party competition, legal controversies and the evolving role of women in Pakistani politics. As Punjab’s first woman chief minister, she holds a prominent position in the province’s political landscape and the PML-N’s future strategy.
