ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday ended the 14-year tenure of Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, appointing former Chief Justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui in his place.

The decision to replace the Sindh governor was made in a meeting held between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain at the Presidency on Wednesday morning.

According to sources in the Presidency, President Hussain signed a summary for the appointment of a new governor on the request of the prime minister. Later, a notification was also issued.

However, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which governs Sindh, expressed its dissatisfaction over the decision to appoint Justice Siddiqui, complaining it had not been taken into confidence by the centre.

Sindh government spokesperson Maula Bakhsh Chandio said in a statement that the ruling party of Sindh had not been consulted over the change.

Mr Ibad’s removal raises many questions regarding the reasons behind this decision, amid the strong criticism and accusations levelled against him by former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal, who recently formed his own political party.

Ex-CJP Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui to succeed Ishratul Ibad; PPP unhappy over not being consulted before change

Justice Siddiqui told Dawn he had been informed about the government’s decision and was consulted two days ago.

The newly appointed governor said the chief justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) would administer him the oath of office.

He said that without the restoration and maintenance of peace in Karachi, business and trade activity could not flourish.

He stressed that both the centre and the provincial government had to work together to maintain peace in the country’s commercial hub.

The former chief justice of Pakistan said he could not talk about his future plans on the media yet. “I will hold a press conference after assuming charge to have detailed interaction with the press and inform them about my priorities and plans for the betterment of Sindh.”

Saeed Ghani, who is an adviser to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, told Dawn that although it was the sole prerogative of the federal government and the president to appoint a governor, the PPP should have been taken into confidence.

But he welcomed the appointment of the new governor and expressed the hope that “the governor will do whatever he has said regarding restoration of peace and law and order in Karachi”.

Earlier, during his meeting with the president, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif discussed the overall situation in the country with emphasis on the economy, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), energy projects, law and order, tension along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary and the prevailing situation in India-held Kashmir, an official press release said.

The prime minister apprised the president of the policies and initiatives of the government in various sectors that aimed to put the country on the path to sustainable progress and improve the living standards of the people by strengthening the national economy.

President Mamnoon praised the economic policies of the government, saying the national economy was on the road to revival and that the benefits of progress were being passed on to the common man.

Both expressed their resolve to ensure the smooth and timely completion of CPEC projects, which would be a harbinger of unprecedented economic prosperity in Pakistan as well as the region. They emphasized that the CPEC would equally benefit all areas of the country and hoped that the country will be rid of loadshedding upon completion of planned energy projects by 2018.

They also reviewed the results of Operation Zarb-i-Azb and expressed their satisfaction at the successes achieved, resolving to continue the operation in all areas of the country without any discrimination. They commended the sacrifices of the armed forces, police and law enforcement personnel in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

The two leaders also reviewed the regional situation and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to maintain friendly relations with all neighbouring countries, condemning the atrocities being perpetrated against innocent Kashmiris in India-held Kashmir and denounced the continued Indian ceasefire violations along the LoC.

Published in Dawn November 10th, 2016