KP, Sindh assemblies dissolved after completing 5-year term

KARACHI - The Provincial assemblies of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stand dissolved as they completed their five-year constitutional term on Monday.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, addressing the the farewell session of the legislative assembly, said that he respects the masses who migrated [to Pakistan], however, the demand for division of Sindh province was 'unjustified'.

Later, the outgoing chief minister, who remains in charge until an interim chief minister takes over, hosted an Iftar dinner in honour of members of the provincial cabinet.

Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani presided over the last session.

Before the assembly's tenure came to an end, the chief minister and Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izharul Hassan met to decide on a name for the post of caretaker chief minister but failed to decide on any name.

They will again meet on Tuesday to finalise a name for the caretaker chief minister.

Geo News quotes its sources saying that "the Pakistan People's Party is deciding between former chief secretary Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha and senior party leader Dr Qayoom Soomro to be appointed for the interim position".

Other names to come forward are of Aftab Sheikh from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Ghous Ali Shah from Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, and Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the TV channel reported.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly also completed its term midnight on Monday following a notification by provincial law secretary later regarding its dissolution. However, the farewell session could not be held because of a lack of quorum.

The assemblies of Punjab and Balochistan provinces are set to complete their five-year term on May 31 (Thursday).