National

Syed Murad Ali Shah expresses confidence that Asif Ali Zardari would secure majority votes for his second term as president

KARACHI, March 02 (SABAH): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed confidence on Saturday that PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari would secure majority votes for his second term as president.

Speaking to the media before the submission of Asif Ali Zardari’s nomination papers before Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, officially confirmed Asif Zardari as presidential candidate.

Syed Murad Ali Shah was accompanied by PPP leader Dr. Faryal Talpur, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Speaker Sindh Assembly Awais Qadir Shah, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Agha Siraj Hussain Durrani, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Saeed Ghani, Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh, Sardar Shah, Sohail Anwar Siyal, Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, and others.

Responding to a question, Syed Murad Ali Shah highlighted the positive working relationship between the PPP and the MQM-Pakistan, emphasising their history as coalition partners. He stated that the PPP would seek votes from all political forces in the parliament, including the MQM-Pakistan, for Asif Zardari’s presidential election.

Syed Murad Ali Shah also compared the effectiveness of the local body system in Sindh with those in other provinces, asserting that the province’s system was more powerful and efficient. He mentioned MQM’s interest in replicating Sindh’s successful local governance in Punjab through an agreement with the PML-N.

When asked about Ali Amin Gandapur’s statements, the chief minister stated that as an elected CM of KP, he will be following the lead of his party’s leadership. Murad also mentioned that it is evident from Gandapur’s statements that he is in line with his party leader’s views.

Murad also addressed the issue of alleged election rigging in Sindh, stating that the PPP, like in other provinces, was addressing complaints through legal procedures rather than resorting to public protests. He respected all MPAs, including those from PTI, and highlighted the importance of collaboration for the benefit of the province.

Earlier, CM Murad, accompanied by over 30 MPAs, visited the Sindh High Court to officially propose Asif Zardari as the presidential candidate. PPP MPA Syed Nasir Hussain Shah seconded the nomination, and the scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for March 4, 2024, in Islamabad.