President signs off on Centre's move to replace Tessori with Nehal Hashmi as Sindh governor

President, prime minister extend congratulations to Hashmi

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday approved the appointment of Nehal Hashmi as the new governor of Sindh, following the Centre's recommendation.

According to a statement issued by the President's House, Zardari approved the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under Articles 48 and 101 of the Constitution.

President Zardari has approved the appointment of Mr Nihal Hashmi as Governor Sindh, acting on the advice of PM under Articles 48 & 101 of Pakistan’s Constitution. The Commission of Appointment has been signed. He will take oath before the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court.

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 12, 2026

The president extended his congratulations to Hashmi, expressing his best wishes for his tenure in office.

In addition to the approval, President Zardari signed the Commission of Appointment, formalising Hashmi’s appointment.

Hashmi is set to take the oath of office before the Sindh High Court chief justice prior to officially assuming the position.

PM Shehbaz had sent the summary to the president earlier today for approval.

A statement issued by the PM Office Media Wing added that the prime minister also met Hashmi and congratulated him on his nomination as the governor.

*نہال ہاشمی کو گورنر سندھ تعینات کرنے کا فیصلہ*

*وزیراعظم شہباز شریف نے سمری منظوری کے لئے صدر پاکستان کو بھجوا دی.*

وزیر اعظم کی نہال ہاشمی سے ملاقات اور گورنر سندھ تعیناتی پر مبارکباد. pic.twitter.com/Z44NLqqfCy

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) March 12, 2026

Tesori hopes new governor will continue public advocacy

During an iftar dinner in Karachi, Kamran Tesori expressed gratitude for the honour he received during his time in office. He thanked the president, the prime minister, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and several ministers.

“I received great respect during my time in office. I am thankful to President Zardari, with whom I worked for nearly four years. I also extend my gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and all the ministers,” Tesori said. He particularly praised the field marshal, stating, “The field marshal led us to victory in the war. I salute him.”

Tesori also welcomed the incoming governor, urging them to prioritise the future of 50,000 IT students in the province. “I request the new governor to ensure that the future of these students is secure,” he added.

He took a reflective stance on his tenure, stating, “I was not a constitutional governor, but an advocate for the public. I do not wish to engage in blame games. If advocating for education in IT and working for the public welfare is a crime, I accept it. I am leaving with empty hands; I did not take a salary. Had I been asked, I would have resigned myself.”

“If speaking out on issues like the repair of manhole covers and advocating for the public’s needs is considered a crime, then I accept it,” he stated.

He acknowledged the support of political figures like Farooq Sattar, saying, “Farooq Sattar spoke up for me, but if MQM Pakistan didn’t raise their voice against my removal, it’s their choice. I have no complaints.”

The development came amid growing criticism of outgoing Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori from legal bodies and political leaders over alleged political activities at the Governor's House.

Last month, the Sindh Bar Council demanded the immediate removal of Tessori by President Zardari, declaring that political activities conducted at the Governor's House were in violation of the Constitution.

A resolution adopted during the council’s 109th meeting on February 21 stated that the governor’s “involvement in political activities and using Governor's House for political activities is in violation of the Constitution.”

“The House demands immediate removal of the Governor of Sindh as he has proved himself unfit for representing the federation,” the resolution said.

Also read: Sindh Bar Council demands immediate removal of Governor Kamran Tessori

On February 20, Sindhi nationalist leaders also accused Tessori of turning the Governor House into a platform for what they described as ethnic politics following an event attended by leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

Qaumi Awami Tehreek leader Ayaz Latif Palijo alleged that the Governor House had been reduced to a “centre for hatching conspiracies against Sindh and Pakistan,” warning that any attempt to undermine Sindh posed a threat to the country’s integrity.

A day later, Sindh Senior Minister and Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon condemned what he called hateful and linguistically biased speeches delivered during a ceremony at the Governor House, describing the remarks as deeply regrettable.

Sharjeel also criticised references made to state institutions during the event, saying such discussions were inappropriate for a constitutional platform and undermined civic harmony.

He expressed concern over elected representatives using official platforms to deliver biased messages, adding that the incident – particularly involving MQM members addressing one another – threatened Karachi’s culture of peace and brotherhood.

Hashmi’s membership of the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) was revoked in 2017 by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif after he made statements critical of the judiciary at a public gathering in Karachi. He had submitted his resignation from the Senate following the controversy but later withdrew it. Hashmi served as a senator from 2015 to 2021.

During subsequent proceedings, Hashmi was required to issue an unconditional apology to the judiciary for his remarks. In 2018, he was convicted of contempt of court, sentenced to one month in jail and disqualified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan from holding public office for five years.