As I sat in the Press Gallery of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore, watching the final budget wind-up speech by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a wave of memories transported me back to the era when people used to say that Pakistan’s first female prime minister Benazir Bhutto introduced the legacy of women-led initiatives in Pakistan. I hadn’t witnessed those sessions live from the Press Gallery of the National Assembly in Islamabad – but decades later, I found myself witnessing a historic moment – a woman not only leading the House but also presenting ambitious schemes for the youth, the environment, and the rapidly-evolving information technology sector. The hall was packed, not with the usual spectators, but with a surge of political energy – ministers, coalition allies, party workers, and supporters who had come to stand firmly behind Maryam Nawaz – Punjab’s first female chief minister.
During the final budget session, the chief minister entered the assembly hall with her colleagues and staff. Her arrival created a buzz of anticipation. She paused to greet senior party leaders like Zakia Shahnawaz, using a gesture many women and girls in our culture know well – showing respect and seeking blessings from elders before doing something important. It was a personal moment in a public space, but it also symbolized respect for tradition and a strong connection with the party’s senior leadership. Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan chaired the session, fully aware that things could get heated – and they did. Even before the session officially began, the opposition started shouting loudly, demanding release of their jailed leader. They stood up, raised slogans, and tried to create noise to throw the ruling party off balance. It was clearly a move to shake their confidence. But what happened next took the political drama in an unexpected direction.
As Maryam Nawaz spoke, each initiative was backed by on-screen displays of data, charts, and videos – adding a modern touch to old traditional budget speeches
Just like the Democratic Party in the United States once turned an insult into their symbol, lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz also responded with clever defiance. When opposition members shouted, the ruling party leaders clapped and raised slogans in support of Maryam Nawaz, turning jeers into cheers. What was meant to ‘insult’ her turned into a moment of unity and energy. The assembly floor felt more like a political rally, filled with slogans and counter-slogans. But beyond the noise, the session was full of substance – with detailed project overviews, progress reports, future plans, and bold promises. As Maryam Nawaz spoke, each initiative was backed by on-screen displays of data, charts, and videos – adding a modern touch to the old traditional budget speeches. At times, the chief minister even asked for the visuals to be replayed to highlight the success of the pilot projects.
From youth entrepreneurship loans to small job programs, from setting up new environmental police to expanding tech complexes and support centers – the chief minister shared a vision of youth-focused and progressive governance. She appreciated the departments and praised the officials involved in these efforts. Her speech started with a hint of nervousness in the beginning but soon transitioned into a confident, composed delivery that reflected her growing command over the House and its political pulse. Throughout the session, Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan repeatedly asked the opposition to maintain decorum and follow the rules, even warning them of the consequences for breaching House rules. At the same time, he seemed impressed by some of the development projects – he even asked for videos to be replayed and openly shared his surprise and appreciation.
In a rare gesture of political maturity, Maryam Nawaz invites opposition to participate in future developmental plans, and to visit project sites
Maryam Nawaz, in a rare gesture of political maturity, extended an olive branch to the opposition. She invited them to participate in future developmental plans, urging them to visit project sites. “If you don’t want to appreciate them,” she said, “at least see the progress for yourself.” It was a small but significant moment – a call for working together in a deeply-divided political climate. The session started two hours late and included a brief 10-minute break for prayers. As the day ended and the House was adjourned for the next session, my thoughts drifted elsewhere. The drama, the energy, the visuals, and the symbolism – it all felt strangely surreal. Like the Happy Prince in the world of Alice in Wonderland, watching from his pedestal, I, too, sat above, observing the mix of politics, history, and emotion unfold below.
Time will be the true test of these promises. Will these schemes materialize into real impact? Will the youth get jobs, the environment get protection, and the information technology sector get wings? Or will these announcements dissolve into the archives of missed opportunities? But for now, the spectacle of the day – its drama, its defiance, its dreams – remains etched in memory. And somewhere deep inside, a journalist in me whispered, I was there when it happened.
