Karach: In a surprise move Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government has decided to remove Dr Ishratul Ibad as governor Sindh.
Retired Justice Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, a judge who refused to take the oath under military dictator Pervez Musharraf’s regime in 1999, has been named the next governor of Sindh, reports said.
The departing Ibad served as governor for about 14 years, the longest anyone has held the office.
He had become governor — a constitutional representative of the federal government in the province — in 2002, after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) offered his name to the retired general, who was in cordial relations with the party.
Although he had held on to the office, rumours popped up a couple of years ago when Ibad developed differences with MQM supremo Altaf Hussain, for not backing the party amid its bickering with the establishment and government.
Nevertheless, the governor, known for his cool demeanour and pliability, survived in his position. He however again became controversial when Mustafa Kamal, a defector from the MQM who now heads his own Pak Sarzamin Party (PSP), hurled a volley of accusations on Ibad, blaming him of gross corruption and mischief.
Reacting to Kamal’s barbs Ibad, putting aside the conventional sanctity of his office, abused Kamal for his financial corruption when he was the mayor of Karachi.
Meanwhile his successor Siddiqui contested the presidential election in 2008 as a candidate of Prime Minister Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML).
He lost out to Asif Zardari, who was elected president.
Justice Siddiqui also served as a member of Pakistan Election Commission after retiring as chief justice of Sindh High Court.
Talking to television channels, Justice Siddiqui said Prime Minister Sharif consulted him about becoming the next governor of Sindh a couple of days ago.
He further said he would take matters of law and order as a top priority as well as the devolution of powers of the provincial government to elected local government representatives.
Sources said the notification of removal of Ibad and appointment of Justice Siddiqui would be issued soon.
