Murad Ali Shah to replace Qaim as PPP approves major overhaul to cabinet

DUBAI: The Sindh cabinet would undergo a major overhaul with Murad Ali Shah replacing the octogenarian chief minister Qaim Ali Shah, sources told Geo News on Sunday as the top leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party met in the wake of a deadlock over extension in policing powers of Rangers.

The meeting was jointly chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman of the party and former president Asif Ali Zardari. 

The reshuffle would see half of the cabinet members lose their ministries including home minister Anwar Sial.

The sources further disclosed that Asif Ali Zardari has approved extension in Rangers special powers in Sindh.

Murad Ali Shah is the son of late Abdull Shah who served as chief minister of Sindh during PPP’s second stint.

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari took to Twitter to applaud the outgoing chief minister Qaim Ali Shah.

#ThankYouQAS for standing by 3 generations of Bhuttos.Loyalty towards serving the people & im sure we will continue to rely on your guidance

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) July 24, 2016

A statement issued by Senator Farhatullah Babar of the PPP after the meeting in Dubai said, “The Pakistan People’s Party today decided to make changes in the Sindh cabinet, including bringing in a new chief minister.

“The decision was taken when some senior leaders of the party today called on former President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in Dubai today.

“Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was also present at the meeting,” said the statement.

“Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is scheduled to return to Karachi early in the week starting Monday to meet the provincial party leaders and party MPAs before finalizing changes in the Sindh cabinet,” said the statement by Senator Babar.