KARACHI: Syed Owais Shah, representing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), clinched victory as the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly during Sunday’s session chaired by Agha Siraj Durrani.
In a session marked by the election of both the speaker and deputy speaker through secret balloting, a total of 147 members exercised their voting rights. Notably, 9 independent members affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and 1 member from the Jamaat-e-Islami opted to boycott the election, refraining from casting their votes.
Shah secured a significant mandate with 111 votes, outshining his contender Sofia Saeed from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), who garnered 36 votes. The victory underscores the PPP’s stronghold and support within the Sindh Assembly, reaffirming its dominant position in provincial politics.
The spotlight also turned to the deputy speaker position, for which the PPP nominated Anthony Naveed, while Rashid Khan contested from the MQM camp. The election dynamics showcased a vibrant democratic process, reflecting the diversity and political plurality within the assembly.
Furthermore, the session witnessed the swearing-in of 9 independent members backed by the PTI, adding to the assembly’s composition. With Jamaat-e-Islami’s Muhammad Farooq also taking the oath, the total count of members swearing in reached 157. However, the absence of 3 members from the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) was notable during the proceedings.
The PPP, commanding a formidable presence with 114 members, maintains its status as the largest party in the Sindh Assembly. Meanwhile, MQM Pakistan emerges as the second-largest party with 36 seats, followed by the GDA and Jamaat-e-Islami, each with their respective representation. The inclusion of independent members adds further complexity to the political landscape, setting the stage for robust parliamentary deliberations and engagements.
