Oath Ceremony Marks Political Transition in Karachi
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Nehal Hashmi was sworn in as the Governor of Sindh on Friday, March 13, 2026. The ceremony at the Governor House in Karachi formalized the transition from the outgoing governor, Kamran Khan Tessori of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
Ceremony and Key Attendees
Sindh High Court Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput administered the oath of office. The event was attended by prominent political figures, including Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. Provincial ministers and PML-N Sindh president Bashir Memon were also present, underscoring the significance of the appointment.
Presidential Approval and Political Backdrop
Hashmi’s appointment followed President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Shehbaz Sharif had forwarded the summary and personally congratulated Hashmi in Islamabad.
The change comes amid political recalibration. Outgoing Governor Tessori departed for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. The MQM-P, in a statement, expressed that it was not consulted about the decision and would determine its future course of action after internal discussions.
Nehal Hashmi’s Political Profile
Hashmi, a lawyer from Karachi’s Malir area, has a long-standing association with the PML-N. His political career includes:
- Serving as adviser to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on law and justice (1997-1999).
- Holding leadership roles, including president of PML-N’s Karachi chapter (2012) and general secretary of its Sindh chapter (2014).
- Being elected as a Senator from Punjab in 2015. His party membership was suspended in 2017 and restored in 2021.
His appointment as governor marks a new chapter in Sindh’s political landscape, with the PML-N consolidating its presence in the province’s gubernatorial office.
