Punjab CM Pakistan: The Complete Guide
Who is the Chief Minister of Punjab, how the office works, the full cabinet list with portfolios, and how a CM is elected — everything in one place.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
The Essentials
Key Facts at a Glance
Punjab’s chief ministership in thirty seconds.
Deep Dives
CM & Cabinet Guides
The detailed profiles behind the headlines.
Punjab CM Pakistan: Profile
Maryam Nawaz’s path to the chief ministership, her mandate and her government’s priorities. Read the profile →
List of Ministers of Punjab
Every Punjab cabinet minister with portfolio — the complete, current list. See the list →
The Chief Minister
Who Is the Punjab CM?
Pakistan’s most powerful provincial office — and its first woman holder.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and a central PML-N leader, became Chief Minister of Punjab on 26 February 2024 after winning 220 votes in the 371-member Punjab Assembly — the first woman chief minister in Pakistan’s history. She represents PP-159 (Lahore-XV).
Her elevation was a milestone in Pakistani politics: the chief ministership of Punjab — the country’s largest province, home to over half its population — is widely considered the second most powerful elected office in the country after the prime ministership. Read her full profile →
The Government
The Punjab Cabinet: Full List
The key ministers serving under Maryam Nawaz (as of October 2026).
| Minister | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Maryam Nawaz Sharif | Chief Minister (all other portfolios) |
| Marriyum Aurangzeb | Senior Minister |
| Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman | Finance |
| Ashiq Husain Khan | Agriculture |
| Kazim Ali Pirzada | Irrigation |
| Rana Sikandar Hayat | School Education |
| Khawaja Imran Nazir | Primary & Secondary Health Care |
| Khawaja Salman Rafique | Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education; Emergency Services |
| Zeeshan Rafiq | Local Government & Community Development |
| Bilal Akbar Khan | Transport & Mass Transit |
| Sohaib Ahmad Malik | Communication & Works |
| Azma Bukhari | Information & Culture |
| Bilal Yasin | Food |
| Ramesh Singh Arora | Minorities Affairs |
| Muhammad Bilal Yamin | Planning & Development; Environment; Forestry, Fisheries & Wildlife |
| Malik Iftikhar Ahmed | Human Rights; Parliamentary Affairs |
| Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan | Provincial Minister (inducted Oct 2025) |
| Mansha Ullah Butt | Provincial Minister (inducted Oct 2025) |
The cabinet was sworn in on 6 March 2024 (18 members initially) and expanded in October 2025 with two veteran PML-N figures. See the complete ministers list →
The Office
How the CM Is Elected
The constitutional path to Punjab’s top provincial office.
- Election: After each Punjab Assembly election (371 seats: 297 general, 66 women-reserved, 8 minority-reserved), the Assembly elects the Chief Minister by majority vote.
- Appointment: The Governor formally appoints the elected member, who takes the oath of office.
- Cabinet: The CM selects provincial ministers from Assembly members; the Governor administers their oath.
- Term: Five years, aligned with the Assembly — unless dissolved earlier.
- Removal: Through a vote of no-confidence by the Assembly, or resignation.
In Office
Maryam Nawaz’s Record So Far
The headline initiatives of her government.
Apni Chhat Apna Ghar
The flagship housing programme — recognised with a UN-Habitat honour for Maryam Nawaz.
Free Public Transport
Free travel across Punjab’s cities, announced for students, women and seniors.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions people ask most about Punjab’s CM — answered.
Who is the current Chief Minister of Punjab?
Maryam Nawaz Sharif (PML-N), in office since 26 February 2024.
Is Maryam Nawaz the first woman CM of Punjab?
Yes — she is the first woman to become Chief Minister of Punjab, and the first woman chief minister of any Pakistani province.
How is the Punjab CM elected?
The 371-member Punjab Assembly elects the CM by majority vote after each provincial election; the Governor then formally appoints the winner.
Who is the Senior Minister of Punjab?
Marriyum Aurangzeb, sworn in as Senior Minister in Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet in March 2024.
How many ministers are in the Punjab cabinet?
The cabinet began with 18 ministers in March 2024 and was expanded in October 2025 with two more inductees, plus special assistants.
Which constituency does Maryam Nawaz represent?
PP-159 (Lahore-XV) in the Punjab Assembly.
Pakistan’s Leaders, Explained
Profiles of the people running Pakistan’s provinces and institutions — in Feature Pakistan’s Leadership & Elections section.
Feature Pakistan’s Pakistan Guides explain the country’s leaders and institutions in plain language — written for voters, students and curious readers, verified against official announcements and established reporting.