New governor selection

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have appointed a new governor for Sindh. Chairman of the Privatisation Commission, and elder brother of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Asad Umer, Muhammad Zubair will succeed the late governor Justice (retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui. It is intriguing for PM Sharif and President Hussain to have chosen a new governor based on his connections within the security ranks and one that was neither the gentleman’s top choices. The selection of an ‘underdog’ is welcome, but considering the network he brings and the fact that he is a member of the PM’s political party, the status will not be so difficult to overcome. It is an inevitable fact that those who come into power in Pakistan, whether in the federal or provincial leadership, usually have preexisting family legacies in politics. The politics of Sindh, indubitably, are the epitome of this claim. Respectfully, nonetheless, Mr Zubair will take oath as per the decision of the higher powers and deserves an equal chance to fulfill the role of governor, which will not be an easy one amid rising security concerns, once again.



It is time to overcome advice of choosing a ‘passive’ versus an ‘aggressive’ person for various offices. We have had enough puppets in the past, who were appointed to allow the higher leadership to act without interference and dissent. However, it is of no use to appoint or elect officials who will not use their own brains and authority to contribute to the welfare of citizens. Whether it is the Karachi Operation or the elevated street crime, much progress remains to be made. Mr Zubair’s two preset foci, however, will be to rebuild confidence in the security establishment following the few recent events during the transition period, and, of course, PM Sharif’s beloved topic of the economy in which he has done the most work since taking office. Muhammad Zubair has corporate experience, a clean record devoid of corruption, and a sincere way of dealing with matters and thus induces some hope for Sindh’s future.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2017.

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