In a significant political development from Karachi, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has publicly demanded the reinstatement of Kamran Tessori as the governor of Sindh. Farooq Sattar, who serves as the Senior Deputy Convener of MQM-P, emphasized the need for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to revisit his recent decision that led to Tessori’s removal from the gubernatorial post.
Farooq Sattar, in a detailed statement, urged the federal government to reconsider the move, stressing that Tessori’s removal has caused unrest within the MQM-P ranks. He highlighted the importance of maintaining political harmony within the coalition government, especially given the delicate balance of power in Sindh province. Tessori, a prominent MQM-P figure, had been serving as Sindh’s governor since October 2022, following the departure of his predecessor, Imran Ismail.
Last week, the federal government replaced Kamran Tessori with Nehal Hashmi, a seasoned politician affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The appointment of Hashmi sparked controversy as MQM-P leaders claimed they were not consulted prior to the decision, signaling a potential rift within the coalition partners at the federal level. Despite this, Nehal Hashmi, after taking his oath as governor, publicly reassured that the MQM-P remains an ally of the PML-N and reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to working together at the Centre.
Nehal Hashmi, born in Karachi on January 28, 1960, brings a wealth of legal and political experience to his new role. His career began in the late 1980s when he started practicing law. During his student years, Hashmi founded the All Pakistan Youth League, marking his early foray into political activism. He formally joined the PML-N in 1992 and quickly rose through the ranks, serving as an adviser on law, justice, and human rights to then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from 1997 to 1999.
Hashmi’s legal expertise has been notable in several high-profile cases, including those involving Nawaz Sharif and the tribunal related to Murtaza Bhutto. Politically, he has held key positions such as president of PML-N Karachi in 2012 and general secretary of the party’s Sindh chapter in 2014. His tenure as a member of the Senate of Pakistan from March 2015 to February 2018 further solidified his political stature.
However, Hashmi’s career has not been without controversy. In 2017, he faced expulsion from the PML-N due to a contentious statement linked to the Panama Papers case, though his party membership was reinstated in 2021. Additionally, in February 2018, he was sentenced to one month in prison and fined Rs50,000 in a contempt of court case. This legal setback led to the termination of his Senate membership and a five-year disqualification from holding public office. Hashmi served his sentence and was subsequently released.
Meanwhile, the political dynamics in Sindh remain tense as the MQM-P continues to push for Kamran Tessori’s return, citing his effective governance and strong ties with the local populace. The party’s call for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reconsider the decision underscores the fragile nature of coalition politics in Pakistan, especially in provinces where multiple parties share power.
It is worth noting that the Sindh governorship holds strategic importance, given the province’s political weight and its role in national politics. The ongoing tussle between MQM-P and PML-N over this position reflects broader challenges faced by the coalition government in maintaining unity and managing competing interests.
In a related development, political analysts suggest that the federal government’s move to appoint Nehal Hashmi might be aimed at consolidating PML-N’s influence in Sindh ahead of upcoming electoral contests. However, this strategy risks alienating coalition partners like MQM-P, potentially destabilizing the provincial political landscape.
