Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad accepts Qaim Ali Shah’s resignation as chief minister of Sindh, as PTI and MQM decide to field candidates against Murad Ali Shah for top provincial office
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Wednesday accepted the resignation of senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah from Sindh chief minister’s post.
Shah’s resignation came in the wake of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s decision to inject “young blood” for the betterment of the province, as Maula Bux Chandio, adviser to the Sindh chief minister on information, informed earlier.
PPP picked Syed Murad Ali Shah as the successor of Qaim Ali Shah during a senior leadership’s meeting in Dubai on Sunday.
About the removal of Qaim Ali Shah, party sources said that apart from his soft stance on the issue of Rangers’ actions in the province, the factor that caused his departure was fragmentation in the party.
The party leadership got complaints from a group that he did not entertain their requests about various projects and lucrative transfers and postings.
CM Shah’s performance in the development sector was also questioned by his detractors. He contended with this allegation throughout his long stint as the chief minister and finally it was counted as one of the reasons that played in the party’s decision to show him the door.
His soft attitude towards Rangers and an independent stance in implementing the National Action Plan is said to be among the factors of his exit.
Although Murad Ali Shah is widely expected to be the next CM of Sindh, it is unlikely that he would have a smooth ride in the provincial assembly.
The Sindh Assembly has 168 seats and Murad Ali Shah needs at least 85 votes to clinch the coveted seat. Although the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has 91 seats, there are several members who are either estranged or are currently out of the country.
According to reports, PPP leaders Nadir Magsi, Hasnain Mirza, Ali Nawaz and Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani are estranged and are unlikely to vote for him, while Sarjeel Memon and Owais Muzaffar are out of the country.
Moreover, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to nominate Khurram Sherzaman for the post, while the Muthaida Quami Movement (MQM) is also considering fielding its own candidate as well.