Who is Murad Ali Shah, elected as Sindh CM for third time?

The Sindh Assembly on Monday elected Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Murad Ali Shah as the chief minister of Sindh for the third time.

Before this Shah served twice as Sindh’s chief minister from 2016 to 2018 and then from 2018 to 2023, and this will be his third consecutive term.

A total of 148 members of the assembly participated in the polling, which saw Murad securing 112 votes to become the 25th chief minister of Sindh in the contest against Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Ali Khurshid, who got only 36 votes to his name.

A day earlier, the assembly elected PPP’s Syed Awais Qadir Shah and Anthony Naveed as the new speaker and deputy speaker as the majority of the lawmakers voted for them.

Who is Murad Ali Shah?

Murad Ali Shah is the son of former chief minister Sindh Abdullah Shah Ghazi. He was born on August 11, 1962, in Karachi and completed high school at St Patrick’s High School, in 1977, Intermediate from DJ Government Science College in 1979, and a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from NED University of Engineering and Technology in 1985.

Shah also earned two Master of Science degrees in Civil-Structural Engineering and Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University, California, completing his studies in 1987 and 1993.

His professional journey spans both public and private sectors, encompassing roles in Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, and the United States of America between 1986 and 2002.

Before entering politics, the three-time elected Chief Minister worked as an engineer for entities such as the Hyderabad Development Authority, Water and Power Development Authority, Port Qasim Authority, and Karachi Fish Harbor Authority. Subsequently, he transitioned to a different career, serving as an Investment Banker at Citibank in Karachi and London, Gulf Investment Corporation in Kuwait, and Bizpivot in the USA.

In 2002, Shah initiated his political career with the PPP, securing a ticket to contest in the general elections for a seat in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh.

His father had a prior political presence, contesting and winning elections from 1970 to 1993 in the same constituency. Following Shah’s electoral victory, he was appointed the Deputy Leader of the PPP Parliamentary party in the Sindh Assembly.

Successfully participating in the provincial assembly elections of 2008, 2013, and 2018, Shah held the position of provincial minister from 2008 to 2016. During this time, he managed significant portfolios, including Revenue, Irrigation, Finance, Energy, and Planning and Development.

In July 2016, Shah ascended to the role of Chief Minister for the first time. After the 2018 general elections, he secured re-election to the top post for a second term. Shah is actively involved in the PPP’s Central Executive Committee and holds the position of Vice President of PPP Sindh.