Provincial Assembly of the Sindh
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh is the legislative body of the Sindh province in Pakistan, located in Karachi. It is a unicameral assembly with a total of 168 seats, including 130 general seats, 29 reserved seats for women, and 9 reserved seats for non-Muslims. The assembly serves a five-year term as specified in Article 52 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Leadership
The leadership of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh is as follows:
- Speaker: Awais Qadir Shah, PPP (since 25 February 2024)
- Deputy Speaker: Anthony Naveed, PPP (since 25 February 2024)
- Leader of the House: Murad Ali Shah, PPP (since 26 February 2024)
- Leader of the Opposition: Ali Khurshidi, MQM-P (since 31 March 2024)
Structure and Composition
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh is structured to ensure representation from various segments of the population. The composition includes:
- 130 general seats: Elected directly from constituencies across the province.
- 29 reserved seats for women: Ensuring female representation in the legislative process.
- 9 reserved seats for non-Muslims: Reflecting the province’s diverse religious demographics.
Membership Qualifications
To be eligible for membership in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of Pakistan.
- Age: Must be at least 25 years old and enrolled as a voter in any electoral roll.
- Character: Must possess good character and not be commonly known as one who violates Islamic injunctions.
- Knowledge: Must have adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practices.
- Behavior: Must be sagacious, righteous, non-profligate, and honest.
- Convictions: Must not have been convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude or for giving false evidence.
- Loyalty: Must not have worked against the integrity of Pakistan or opposed its ideology after its establishment.
These qualifications ensure that members are not only representative of the populace but also uphold the moral and ethical standards expected in governance.
Legislative Role and Responsibilities
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh is responsible for:
- Legislation: Creating laws on various provincial matters, including education, health, and infrastructure.
- Budget Approval: Reviewing and approving the provincial budget, which outlines government spending and revenue generation.
- Oversight: Monitoring the provincial government’s functioning, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
Historical Context
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh has a rich history, having undergone several transformations since its inception. The first assembly was formed in 1947, shortly after Pakistan’s independence, and the assembly has since seen various political changes and challenges.
Current Assembly Dynamics
The current assembly reflects a diverse political landscape, with members from multiple political parties representing different constituencies. The Speaker of the Assembly plays a crucial role in maintaining order during sessions and facilitating legislative processes.
List of Assemblies of Sindh
Here is the list of Assemblies with their respective terms:
First Assembly: 27 April 1937 to 1945
Second Assembly: 12 March 1946 to 1946
Third Assembly: 17 February 1947 to 1951
Fourth Assembly: 12 September 1953 to 1955
Fifth Assembly: 1972 to 1977
Sixth Assembly: 30 March 1977 to 5 July 1977
Seventh Assembly: 28 February 1985 to 30 May 1988
Eighth Assembly: 19 November 1988 to 6 August 1990
Ninth Assembly: 27 October 1990 to 19 July 1993
Tenth Assembly: 9 October 1993 to 5 November 1996
Eleventh Assembly: 3 February 1997 to 12 October 1999
Twelfth Assembly: 10 October 2002 to 15 November 2007
Thirteenth Assembly: 18 February 2008 to 2013
Fourteenth Assembly: 2013-2018
Fifteenth Assembly: 13 August 2018 to 11 August 2023
Sixteenth Assembly: 2024–2029
List of all Speakers of the Sindh Assembly
| Diwan Bhoj Singh (Sukkur) | |
| Entered Office: 28-APR-1937 Left Office: 15-FEB-1938 Tenure: 9 months, 18 days Political Party: Independent Notable: As the first Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Diwan Bhoj Singh was instrumental in establishing the foundational legislative processes and protocols. His leadership helped in navigating the nascent assembly through its early challenges. | |
| Syed Miran Muhammed Shah (Hyderabad) | |
| Entered Office: 26-FEB-1938 Left Office: 03-MAY-1948 Tenure: 10 years, 2 months, 7 days Political Party: Muslim League Notable: His term covered the critical period of Pakistan’s independence. Syed Miran Muhammed Shah played a pivotal role in the assembly’s transition during the partition and was key in laying the groundwork for the legislative framework of the new nation. |  |
| Agha Badruddin Durrani (Sukkur) | |
| Entered Office: 08-MAR-1949 Left Office: 29-DEC-1951 Tenure: 2 years, 9 months, 21 days Political Party: Muslim League Notable: Focused on post-independence legislative consolidation and reforms. His leadership was significant in stabilizing the legislative functions after the tumultuous period of partition. | |
| Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur (Senior) (Hyderabad) | |
| Entered Office: 14-SEP-1953 Left Office: 21-MAR-1955 Tenure: 1 year, 6 months, 7 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League Notable: Worked on stabilizing the assembly during a politically volatile period, ensuring continuity and effective governance amidst changing political landscapes. | |
| Ghulam Rasool Keehar (Larkana) | |
| Entered Office: 02-MAY-1972 Left Office: 03-MAR-1977 Tenure: 4 years, 10 months, 1 day Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: Oversaw significant legislative activities and reforms during the early 1970s, contributing to the development and enactment of crucial laws and policies in Sindh. | |
| Agha Sadruddin Durrani (Sukkur) | |
| Entered Office: 13-MAR-1977 Left Office: 04-JUL-1977 Tenure: 3 months, 21 days Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: His term was cut short by the military coup in 1977. Despite the brief tenure, he contributed to the legislative agenda of the PPP and maintained stability during his time in office. | |
| Abdullah Hussain Haroon (Karachi) | |
| Entered Office: 06-APR-1985 Left Office: 13-MAR-1986 Tenure: 11 months, 7 days Political Party: Independent Notable: Focused on enhancing legislative efficiency during his brief term. His efforts were directed towards streamlining the assembly’s procedures and improving the legislative output. | |
| Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Tharparkar (First Term) | |
| Entered Office: 06-APR-1986 Left Office: 01-DEC-1988 Tenure: 2 years, 7 months, 25 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Notable: Focused on legislative reforms and maintaining political stability during a period of significant political changes in Pakistan. |  |
| Syed Abdullah Shah (Dadu) | |
| Entered Office: 01-DEC-1988 Left Office: 05-NOV-1990 Tenure: 1 year, 11 months, 4 days Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: Focused on legislative reforms and political stability during his term. He played a crucial role in enacting laws that supported the PPP’s agenda for social and economic development. | |
| Abdul Razique Khan (Karachi) | |
| Entered Office: 05-NOV-1990 Left Office: 19-OCT-1993 Tenure: 2 years, 11 months, 14 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: Contributed to legislative reforms and governance improvements during his tenure. His leadership helped in navigating the assembly through a period of political challenges and transitions. | |
| Ghous Bux Maher (Shikarpur) | |
| Entered Office: 19-OCT-1993 Left Office: 22-FEB-1997 Tenure: 3 years, 4 months, 3 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: Known for his legislative leadership and efforts to improve governance during his term. His tenure was marked by significant legislative activities and policy reforms. | |
| Nawaz Mirza Advocate (Hyderabad) | |
| Entered Office: 22-FEB-1997 Left Office: 26-OCT-1998 Tenure: 1 year, 8 months, 4 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: Focused on enhancing legislative processes and ensuring effective governance during his term. His contributions helped in streamlining legislative procedures and improving the assembly’s efficiency. | |
| Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Mirpurkhas (Second term) | |
| Entered Office: 14-DEC-2002 Left Office: JAN-2008 Tenure: 5 years Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Notable: Played a key role in legislative advancements and reforms during his second term, contributing to the strengthening of democratic institutions in Sindh. |  |
| Nisar Ahmed Khuro (Larkana) | |
| Entered Office: 18-FEB-2008 Left Office: 30-MAY-2013 Tenure: 5 years, 3 months, 12 days Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: Played a significant role in legislative reforms and governance improvements during his term. His leadership was instrumental in enacting laws that supported the PPP’s development agenda. |  |
| Agha Siraj Durrani (Karachi) | |
| Entered Office: 30-MAY-2013 Left Office: 25-FEB-2024 Tenure: 10 years, 8 months, 26 days Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: Known for his long tenure, Agha Siraj Durrani focused on legislative advancements and maintaining political stability. His leadership saw the passage of significant legislation aimed at social and economic development in Sindh. |  |
| Awais Qadir Shah (Sukkur) | |
| Entered Office: 25-FEB-2024 Left Office: Incumbent Tenure: Ongoing Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: Current Speaker, continuing efforts to enhance legislative processes and governance. His focus is on modernizing the assembly’s procedures and ensuring effective legislative oversight and accountability. |  |
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh serves as a vital institution in Pakistan’s democratic framework, providing a platform for representation and governance for the province’s large and diverse population. Its legislative authority and responsibilities are essential for addressing the needs and aspirations of the people of Sindh.