During those days most of Nawaz Sharif's men were imprisoned. So Maryam along with her mother, decided to hold protests against General Musharaf.

This brought them into spot light. The government had them put under house arrest. But Maryam was determined. She took strength from her mother.

The duo was released after four months and then they continued with their protest. Her family and she returned to their homeland in 2007.

Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz contested the 2008 General elections of Pakistan and won by a considerable majority.

To General Musharraf's defeat she said, “The man who once said Nawaz Sharif and his party were history, and would never be allowed to return, himself had to leave the country. Let's call it divine retribution”.