The year of new faces
Chief executive
The change game began with the chief minister in July. The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) replaced octogenarian Qaim Ali Shah with Murad Ali Shah, who was serving as the senior minister of finance and energy. Qaim had served 10 years in total as the chief minister of Sindh. In 1988, he served as the chief executive for two years. Then, during the successive provincial governments of PPP from 2008, he enjoyed the title of the CM, making him the longest serving CM among his peers.
The change of face of the chief executive of the province came to the fore following criticism on the government's repetitive failures. 'Junior Shah' - as Murad was sometimes referred to - made headlines in media as soon as he assumed office. He took action against ghost employees and visited different areas of the city to review the development work. While Murad is seen by many as an active and independent CM but he is accused at times of having maintained the status quo for retaining the old team of Qaim and toeing the party line in almost every decision. According to independent observers, chances are slim that Murad will be able to bring any drastic reform even in the upcoming year. "The chief minister is competent and is the man who has started 21 development projects in Karachi costing Rs10 billion," says the CM's spokesperson. "These projects will be finished by next year." He added that it was the CM who pleaded the case of Karachi Circular Railways, Keti Bunder Power Project and Dhabeji Economic Zone, after which they have now been included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Inspector-general
Nevertheless, Murad came under fire when he reportedly sent Sindh IG AD Khawaja, a police officer of repute, on 'forced leave' a few days ago in order to 'appease' his party leadership. Khawaja, who had replaced Ghulam Hyder Jamali in March this year, had been insisting on the appointment of 20,000 policemen on merit and refused to toe the line of politicians. Now, his case is pending before the court and it is yet to be seen where the wind blows.
Ailing case of governor
The curious case of Sindh governor was yet another highlight of this year. Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, the longest serving governor in the country's history, relinquished his office in November and former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice (retd) Saeeduz Zaman, was given the coveted post. However, the new governor has remained unable to assume any duties of his office since after having taken the oath due to his ailing health. "It is a non-serious decision [on part of] the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) government, which has given this responsibility to [an] ailing person who is not even able to sit in a chair," says writer Sohail Sangi.
After a few weeks' stay in the hospital, the doctors have asked governor to take complete rest and sources told The Express Tribune that consultation has begun in Islamabad to review the federal government's decision and appoint another governor in the province.
Commander of Karachi
Apart from this, former Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar was transferred this year after having served two years in the city. He has now been made the DG of Inter-Services Intelligence while Lt Gen Shahid Baig Mirza has replaced him.
The face of Karachi operation
Meanwhile, former Rangers DG Major General Bilal Akbar, who was the face of the Karachi operation, was also transferred this year following his promotion as the chief of general staff. Major General Mohammad Saeed has succeeded him.
Reshuffle in bureaucracy
Meanwhile, Sindh chief secretary Mohammad Siddique Memon was also shown the door in November this year, with Rizwan Memon having been appointed on the post. There is also a long list of secretaries and other senior bureaucrats who barely worked three months on their position as this year has proven to one of 'reshuffles'.
In short, the Sindh government seems to have mostly focused on change of faces instead of performance.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2017.
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