Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formally named Murad Ali Shah as Chief Minister Sindh on Tuesday after the outgoing chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah handed him over his resignation.
However, he would officially submit his resignation to the Governor Sindh.
“The decision to replace an experienced and loyal party leader was very difficult but sometimes the party has to take such decisions for political and strategic purposes in the interest of PPP and the province,” Bilawal said in a statement released by PPP.
He said PPP would continue to seek Qaim’s guidance from his experience in the future also as he had been associated with the party for three decades.
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Bilawal eulogised Qaim for standing by the party in difficult times. “Syed Qaim Ali Shah is a great asset of PPP who stood by the party through thick and thin for three generations of party leadership,” he said.
Qaim Ali Shah had called on the PPP chairman at Bilawal House yesterday and later media representatives that party’s decision was his own as the PPP leadership had always taken wise decisions in party’s interest.
The announcement of changing the provincial CM had long been lingering with the PPP leadership, as it was difficult to remove the senior leader from CM office.
Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information Maula Bux Chandio on behalf of the chairman PPP formally announced the replacement of Qaim Ali Shah with Murad Ali Shah as chief minister Sindh.
“We have to prepare for 2018 elections now and we need a courageous and enthusiast leader for this purpose. The Chairman PPP took this imperative decision in consultation with the party leaders. The decision was not taken at once. The consultation had been going on for several days,” he said while addressing a press conference in People’s Secretariat.
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Chandio said Qaim was a respected member of PPP who patiently stood by the party from Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to Bilawal Bhutto.
“His ways are not parted with the party just post is changing. His relation will remain tied with PPP. He has served the province in different sectors. Qaim remained plausible since the inception of PPP,” he added.
Chandio said when faces were changed, policies also change, however Qaim had been following the chairman’s directions and Murad would also follow the same.
Names of new Sindh cabinet members would be announced in a couple of days, he added.
