Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to take another unexpected decision in the appointment of the Sindh governor, sources told Daily Times on Saturday.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar held a detailed meeting with President Mamnoon Husain in this regard. The government will appoint a new governor in a few days, sources said.

They added that State Minister for Privatisation Zubair Umar, Board of Investment Chairman Miftah Ismail and Trade Development Authority Chairman SM Munir are strong candidates for the slot.

Senators Mushahidullah Khan, Nihal Hashmi, Ismail Rahoo and Salim Zia are also in the line. Sources, however, said the prime minister may take an unexpected decision in this regard.

Sources said Dar would also consult the Peoples Party before taking a final decision.

Sindh Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Ismail Rahoo has been summoned in the federal capital, sources added.

Deceased Sindh governor Saeeduzaman Siddiqui was laid to rest at Gizri graveyard in Karachi on Friday. His funeral prayers, led by Mufti Taqi Usmani, were offered at Governor’s House. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and former CM Qaim Ali Shah, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar, Saffron Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch, MQM leader Farooq Sattar, Senator Nihal Hashmi, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Naeemur Rehman, military officials and other dignitaries attended the prayers. Siddiqui died on Wednesday at the age of 79. He had been hospitalised soon after he assumed the office.

He was discharged from the hospital about a month later after his health improved.

Siddiqui was sworn in as governor on November 11 after the departure of Dr Ishtratul Ebad Khan, the longest-serving governor of Sindh. Siddiqui held the post for two months, becoming the province’s shortest-serving governor. Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani has taken over the affairs as acting governor of Sindh until the appointment of the new governor. Siddiqui was also among the aspiring candidates for the post of president in 2003 and 2008.