The Sindh Assembly was dissolved on Friday after Governor Kamran Tessori signed and approved Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s summary for the dissolution of the provincial legislature. This comes just days before the completion of the Sindh Assembly’s five-year term, which began on August 13, 2018. The National Assembly also experienced a premature dissolution earlier this week.
According to the Constitution of Pakistan, the governor has the power to dissolve the provincial assembly if advised by the chief minister. The provincial assembly will automatically dissolve forty-eight hours after the chief minister gives this advice, if not dissolved sooner.
Earlier in the day, during the farewell session of the Sindh Assembly, Chief Minister Murad announced that he would send the summary to the governor later that night. The opposition Grand Democratic Alliance and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan claimed to have reached a consensus over their candidates for the caretaker chief minister, but said they would announce formally after the dissolution of the Sindh Assembly.
Outgoing Chief Minister Murad, in his address during the last provincial cabinet session, expressed that he and his cabinet members, along with all PPP MPAs, were going “back to the people with dignity and respect”. He recounted the challenges faced during his tenure, including the unwillingness of the federal government to cooperate and attempts to destabilize the PPP government in Sindh. However, with the guidance of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, they continued to serve the people wholeheartedly.
Murad also highlighted the province’s resilience during the Covid pandemic and devastating floods of 2022, praising the collective efforts of party members and workers. He paid tribute to his cabinet members, who in turn praised his performance as chief minister.
By dissolving the Sindh Assembly, the political landscape in the province will now shift towards the formation of a caretaker government and preparations for upcoming elections.