Maryam Nawaz Sharif: A Journey Through Politics and Controversies

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Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is a prominent Pakistani politician who has been serving as the 20th Chief Minister of Punjab (Pakistan) since February 26, 2024. As the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, she initially engaged in public service through her family’s charitable initiatives. Her political journey took a significant turn in 2012 when she led the election campaign for the 2013 general elections. After the elections, she was named Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme in 2013, but she stepped down in 2014 following a legal challenge to her appointment in the Lahore High Court.

In the 2024 general elections in Pakistan, Maryam made her debut in parliament by winning seats in both the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly of Punjab. After taking her oath as a Member of the Provincial Assembly, she decided to relinquish her National Assembly seat. On February 26, 2024, she took on the position of Chief Minister of Punjab, making history as the first woman to hold the Chief Minister role in any province of Pakistan.

Early life and Education(scandal regarding Maryam Nawaz Sharif admission)

Maryam was born on October 28, 1973, in Lahore, Pakistan, to Nawaz Sharif and Kulsoom Butt. She belongs to a Punjabi Kashmiri family and is the eldest of four siblings, including a sister named Asma.
Her educational journey began at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Lahore, where she completed her studies from pre-nursery through the 10th grade. Subsequently, she continued her education at Lahore College for Women, where she obtained her FSC in 1991.
After being rejected by Kinnaird College for not meeting academic standards, her father, Nawaz Sharif, who was the chief minister of Punjab at that time, took action by suspending the principal.
However, a protest by students and faculty resulted in the principal’s reinstatement. Later, Maryam aimed to pursue a medical career and enrolled in King Edward Medical College (KEMU) in the late 1980s.
Unfortunately, due to a scandal regarding her admission, she had to withdraw before finishing her degree. A senior official from the Pakistan People’s Party pointed out that her grades and test scores were below the required standards for KEMU, stating that she clearly did not qualify based on merit.
Initially, she was accepted into the Army Medical College in Rawalpindi but was transferred to KEMC within a month, ultimately leaving without completing her studies. This pursuit of a medical career attracted some negative scrutiny.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of the Punjab, where she also obtained a master’s degree in English Literature.
By 2012, she was pursuing a PhD focused on post-9/11 radicalization in Pakistan and was noted for her appreciation of postcolonial authors like Chinua Achebe, as well as her admiration for the poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz.
It is reported that she completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge.
In 2014, the Lahore High Court raised questions about her Master’s in English Literature and her PhD in Political Science, leaving it uncertain whether her PhD was awarded or honorary.
By 2018, when she submitted her records to the Election Commission of Pakistan, she only acknowledged her master’s degree in English Literature

Marriage life of Maryam Nawaz Sharif

She enrolled at Fatima Jinnah Medical University in Lahore but left her medical studies in 1992 after marrying Safdar Awan at the age of 19. Her first significant media appearance was during her wedding. Following her marriage, she took on her husband’s surname, becoming Maryam Safdar. At that time, Safdar was a captain in the Pakistan Army and served as the security officer for Nawaz Sharif during his time as Prime Minister. Together, they have three children: a son named Junaid and two daughters, Mahnoor and Mehr-un-Nisa.

Early Political Activism

Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Political Journey

Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s political activism began on October 12, 1999, when she was detained following the military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf. Her prominence grew during Nawaz Sharif’s exile in the UK from 2019 to 2023, where she emerged as a key figure in the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) and led major anti-government demonstrations against Imran Khan and the military.

In January 2023, she was appointed senior vice president and Chief Organizer of PML-N, a move that highlighted her role as Nawaz Sharif’s political heir but also sparked internal party dissent. As the 2024 general elections approached,

Maryam Nawaz Sharif played a crucial role in rallying support for her party, showcasing her confrontational style on issues like the army chief’s term extension and the court-martial of a former intelligence chief. Despite facing numerous challenges, Maryam remained a central figure in her party’s efforts to regain political power.

Entry into Formal Politics

In 2011, Nawaz Sharif allowed Maryam to step into the political arena, recognizing her dedication to his political legacy. She contributed to initiatives like the Punjab Women Empowerment Package and the Pink Bus project in Punjab. Although she initially had no plans to engage in electoral politics, by 2013, she played a crucial role in her father’s successful election campaign, establishing herself as an influential member of the Pakistan Muslim League (N).

Initial Controversies and Challenges

Once Nawaz Sharif took a role as Prime Minister, Maryam was appointed chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme in 2013. However, her appointment was met with backlash, being labeled as nepotism. Questions surrounding her academic qualifications led to her resignation in 2014. She also encountered difficulties, including allegations tied to the “Dawn Leaks” incident, which created tensions between the civil and military sectors in Pakistan. Despite these hurdles, Maryam’s influence within the party grew, and she became a prominent anti-establishment figure.

Involvement in Electoral Politics

Maryam’s engagement in electoral politics intensified after her father’s disqualification and conviction in the Panama Papers scandal. She actively campaigned for her mother during the 2017 by-elections, marking a pivotal moment in her political journey. Despite facing numerous challenges, she emerged as a key player in the party, often drawing comparisons to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, although her path was not without internal party disputes.

Public Image

Maryam Nawaz’s public image has been both praised and criticized. Her actions, such as adjusting a police officer’s scarf, have sparked debates on social media, with some viewing it as a sign of humility, while others saw it as an intrusion into personal space. As the “heir apparent” of Nawaz Sharif, she is known for her powerful rhetoric and ability to draw large crowds, though experts have questioned her leadership effectiveness.

Panama Papers Controversy

Maryam was implicated in the Panama Papers scandal, which revealed her involvement in offshore companies and properties. Despite denying ownership, she was later convicted of corruption, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence, which was overturned in 2022 under controversial circumstances.

Personal Wealth and Controversies

Maryam has faced scrutiny for her wealth, declaring assets worth Rs. 845 million in 2018. Her involvement in various controversies, including leaked audio recordings and accusations of influencing government decisions for personal gain, has further complicated her public image.

Disclaimer : This biography of Maryam Nawaz Sharif is based on information sourced from Wikipedia and her official Instagram account. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some details may be subject to interpretation or change over time. The use of publicly available images from Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Instagram account is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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