PPP’s Murad Ali Shah takes oath as Sindh CM for third time

Karachi:  Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday took oath as Sindh chief minister for the third time.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tissori administered him oath at the Governor House and congratulated him over his role as the chief minister.

Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar and other political personalities were also present there.

On Monday, PPP leader Syed Murad Ali Shah secured his third consecutive term as the Sindh chief minister.

Having previously served as the provincial chief executive from 2016 to 2018 and then from 2018 to 2023, Murad Ali Shah's reelection marks a continuation of his leadership in Sindh.

A total of 148 votes were cast, with Murad securing 112 votes. His opponent, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Ali Khurshidi, received 36 votes.

In his address, Murad expressed gratitude for being elected as the provincial chief minister. He acknowledged his party leadership for entrusting him with this responsibility despite its challenges.

Reflecting on his previous tenure as Sindh chief minister in 2016, Murad expressed his desire to maintain the dignity of his office. He paid tribute to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, his mentor, and thanked the PPP leadership for their unwavering support.

Discussing the Feb 8 polls, Murad stated that while the PPP had reservations, it chose a legal path forward, emphasizing the party's commitment to the country's sovereignty and stability.

Murad thanked the lawmakers who supported him and recognized abstention from voting as a political choice. He urged all lawmakers to engage constructively in assembly proceedings.

Regarding priorities, Murad emphasized tackling terrorism and reviewing operations against criminal gangs in riverine areas. He expressed confidence in Asif Ali Zardari's impending presidency and praised Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for their visionary leadership.

Acknowledging past criticisms of the PPP's electoral strategies, Murad stressed the importance of performance in earning votes. He highlighted access to clean drinking water and education as top priorities.

Murad reiterated his support for Bilawal's leadership, seeing him as the future of Pakistan and envisioning him as the potential prime minister in the next general elections.

Murad affirmed the PPP's commitment to serving the people of the province for the next five years.

Lawmakers from the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council, which now hosts PTI-backed independents who won seats in the Feb 8 polls, refrained from participating in the voting process. Following the conclusion of the voting, SIC and JI lawmakers remained in the Assembly. SIC lawmakers held placards and gathered in front of the speaker’s dais to voice their protest.