KARACHI: Murad Ali Shah, a leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), clinched his third consecutive term as the Chief Minister of Sindh on Monday, securing a majority of votes in the Sindh Assembly.
Shah garnered 112 votes, while his opponent Ali Khurshidi from the Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-Pakistan) managed only 36 votes. The swearing-in ceremony for the new chief executive is scheduled for later today during the ongoing assembly session.
Having previously served as Sindh’s chief minister from 2016 to 2018 and then from 2018 to 2023, Shah is now set to begin his third consecutive term.
Expressing gratitude after his re-election, CM Shah thanked the PPP and its leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility once again. He reminisced about his political journey, citing encouragement from PPP leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during his early days in politics.
Addressing concerns over security, Shah affirmed the government’s commitment to prioritize peace and security, particularly in addressing issues like dacoity in certain areas.
He also highlighted the determination of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, recalling instances where he showed unwavering commitment to addressing challenges such as housing displaced people during natural disasters.
Acknowledging the party’s legacy, Shah praised PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for his contributions to Pakistan, particularly in making it a nuclear state.
Shah concluded with a prayer for the courage to effectively govern the province and foster harmony among political parties.
The election process, overseen by newly-elected Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah, saw the participation of 148 assembly members.
Following Shah’s election, congratulations poured in from various quarters, including PPP stalwart Sharjeel Inam Memon and representatives from other political parties like Jamat-e-Islami and MQM-P.
MPAs from both PPP and MQM-P expressed hopes for a government that would address the issues of both rural and urban areas without discrimination, with specific attention to matters like peace and security in various regions.
Former speakers and PPP leaders also voiced their commitment to working for the betterment of the province, while the session began with the swearing-in of newly-elected Sindh Assembly member Nadir Magsi.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
