In a heated session of the Sindh Assembly today, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Murad Ali Shah was re-elected as the Sindh chief minister for the third consecutive term. This marks Murad’s return to the position he held from 2016 to 2018 and from 2018 to 2023.
The election, overseen by Sindh Assembly Speaker Owais Qadir Shah, saw a total of 148 votes cast, with Murad securing a significant 112 votes. His competitor, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Ali Khurshidi, managed to garner 36 votes.
Lawmakers from Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council abstained from participating in the voting process, while SIC lawmakers staged a protest in the assembly after the results were announced.
In his acceptance speech, Murad expressed gratitude to his party leadership for the trust placed in him. He reminisced about his first term in 2016, expressing a desire to continue serving the province with integrity and dedication. Murad also remembered the late Benazir Bhutto, calling her a mentor whose encouragement has been pivotal in his career.
Addressing the challenges faced by Pakistan, Murad emphasized the need for stability and vowed not to compromise on the country’s sovereignty. He also outlined his priorities, focusing on combating terrorism and reviewing operations against criminal gangs, especially in riverine areas.
Additionally, Murad acknowledged past criticisms of PPP’s electoral strategies, emphasizing that the party’s performance would speak for itself. He highlighted key priorities such as ensuring access to clean drinking water and education for the people of Sindh.
Murad underscored his support for PPP’s leadership, particularly Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whom he believes represents the future of Pakistan. He expressed confidence in Bilawal’s potential to become the prime minister in the upcoming general elections.
Following his re-election, former Sindh education minister Syed Sardar Shah and MQM-P’s Abdul Wasim congratulated Murad, praising his dedication to public service and urging the provincial administration to focus on reconstruction efforts after the 2022 floods.
Syed Murad Ali Shah, a seasoned politician, was born in Sehwan Sharif and holds a civil engineering background. He has a long history of public service, including roles in various government agencies and his tenure as the chief minister of Sindh.
The assembly session concluded with Murad’s commitment to serving the people of Sindh for the next five years, aiming to address critical issues and work towards the province’s development and prosperity.
