Maryam Nawaz

Maryam Nawaz
Born Maryam Nawaz
28 October 1973
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Nationality Pakistani
Occupation


Maryam Safdar is a Pakistani female activist and the daughter of the current Prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Kalsoom Nawaz. She is a prominent figure in Pakistani politics, serving as a Nawaz Sharif daughter in the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N).[1][2]

Maryam was born in Lahore, Punjab province. After graduating from Convent of Jesus and Mary school, she initially went to medical school but later continued her postgraduate studies at Punjab University and earned a Master's degree in English Literature.[3] Since 2011, she has been active in the political arena, and currently serves as an aide to The Muslim League. Maryam is involved in political advocacy and has a vested interest in raising the standard of education in Punjab, serving as chairperson of the board of family run Sharif Medical and Dental College. Maryam pursuing a PhD in Political science working on "post-9/11 radicalisation in Pakistan." via distance study from an undisclosed university. [4][1][5]

Life and education

Maryam Safdar belongs to the Sharif family of Pakistan[6] She is the granddaughter of Muhammad Sharif, a industrialist and philanthropist. She is the daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the niece of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and wife of Capt Safdar,[7] all three men holding prominent positions in the political circles of Pakistan.[2][8] Maryam has two brothers, Hussain and Hassan, who are not politically active whereas her cousin, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif is a member of National Assembly (MNA).[9] Maryam holds a Master's degree in English literature, following in the footsteps of her mother, who holds a Master's Degree in Urdu Literature.[3] In 2013, she was pursuing a PhD at Cambridge University working on a doctoral thesis on the topic of "post-9/11 radicalisation in Pakistan."[4][1][5] She also holds a PhD in Political science, inspired by her mother.[10]

Social entrepreneurship

Maryam Nawaz has since 1997 been the chairperson of Sharif Trust, founded by her grandfather Muhammad Sharif, Sharif Medical City and Sharif Education Institutes. She takes a keen interest and is directly involved in the working of Sharif Trust and its allied institutions including Sharif College of Engineering and Technology, Sharif Education Complex, Sharif Model Schools for Boys and Girls, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Sharif Institute of Technology and Islamic Center.[11][12][13][14] Sharif Medical City was established in 1997, includes 300 bed tertiary care center, 12 operation theatres and a 24 Hours Emergency & Trauma Service. More than 700 successful kidney transplants, both adult and children have been performed so far.[15]

In November 2013, Maryam was appointed as the chairperson of Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and took responsibility for coordination, management, finalization and supervision of the implementation of the program.[11] The program includes Fee Reimbursement Scheme for underdeveloped areas throughout the country for the encouragement of students. She said about the program that the "focus of this scheme is to chisel and brush up the latent talent of the youth of the country and also to provide equal opportunities for acquiring higher education to the students of underdeveloped areas".[16]

Political career

She is now a leader of PML-N.[17] In the April 2012 article in Newsweek Pakistan,[1] Maryam Nawaz was described as the new face of the PML-N political party. Fluent in four languages, the Newsweek article portrays her as a progressive heir apparent of Pakistan's mainstream right-to-center PML-N party. She urged youth in her address on Quaid e Azam's day to play an important role in the economics and politics of Pakistan.[18] She announced her intention to participate in politics to assist her father in November 2011.[19]

Her role in politics has often been portrayed and criticized as a representation of dynastic politics in Pakistan.[20][21][22] On 23 October 2014, her appointment as head of Prime Minister's Youth Loan Programme was challenged in Lahore High Court where petitioner showed concerns over the control of public money given to an individual of the ruling family.[23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Taseer, Sherbano (30 March 2012). "The rebirth of Maryam Nawaz Sharif". The Nation. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Habib, Yasir. "Maryam Safdar, PMLN and politics". The Dawn. OnePakistan. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gloria, Surbhi (14 August 2014). "Maryam Nawaz Sharif the beautiful daughter of Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif". India TV. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Baweja, Harinder (8 June 2013). "'I admire Sonia Gandhi for making a mark in India'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rafiq, Arif (12 January 2013). "Pakistan’s Next Generation of Political Leaders". Pakistan Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Sharif Family". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  7. ↑ Siddiqui, Yousuf (29 July 2012). "Maryam Safdar proud of father's decision to suspend husband Captain Safdar". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "Nawaz Sharif head of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Group (PML N)". BlogSpot. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  9. ↑ IndiaTimes (16 December 2013). "Maryam Nawaz Sharif: Rising Star on Pakistan's Political Firmament". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  10. ↑ Ghumman, Khawar (7 December 2012). "Maryam, Hamza vie for limelight". Dawn. Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Web Desk (22 November 2013). "Maryam Nawaz appointed chairperson of PM's Youth Programme". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "Sharif Education City". sharif.edu. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "Sharif College of Engineering & Technol". scet.sharif.edu. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Sharif Education Complex". sec.sharif.edu. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  15. ↑ "Kideny Transplant Department". Sharif Medical City. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  16. ↑ Siddiqui, Shoaib-ur-Rehman (23 May 2014). "Fee Reimbursement Scheme to ensure human, social development: Maryam". Business Recorder. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Our Correspondent (11 December 2011). "Maryam Nawaz to ‘raise Aafia’s issue’". The News International. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  18. ↑ Staff Report (24 December 2011). "Maryam Nawaz asks youth to step forward". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  19. ↑ "مریم نواز شریف کی سیاست میں آمد، اسرار بخاری". Nawa-i-Waqt (in Urdu). 23 November 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  20. ↑ Ghosh, Palash (27 August 2013). "Maryam Nawaz Sharif: A Budding New Political Dynasty In Pakistan?". International Business Times. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  21. ↑ Shah, Saeed (10 May 2013). "Political Dynasties Shape Course of Pakistan Election". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  22. ↑ From the newspaper=work=Dawn (9 May 2013). "Maryam Nawaz & political dynasties". Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  23. ↑ The Newspaper's Staff Reporter (23 October 2014). "LHC seeks criteria for Maryam’s appointment". Dawn. Retrieved 26 October 2014.

Further reading

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