Karachi has become the focal point of emerging tensions within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Sindh chapter after the recent appointment of Nehal Hashmi as the Governor of Sindh. This development has reportedly stirred significant unrest among senior party members, exposing fractures that threaten to destabilize the provincial unit of the party. The discord appears to have intensified shortly after Hashmi took office, signaling a challenging road ahead for the party’s leadership in the province.
The friction primarily centers around a clash between Governor Nehal Hashmi and one of PML-N’s prominent senior figures in Sindh, Bashir Memon. Their disagreements reportedly surfaced during a recent gathering at Memon’s residence, where Hashmi was accompanied by Minister of State Kheeal Das Kohistani. The meeting, which was expected to be a routine discussion, instead escalated into a heated verbal confrontation, underscoring the depth of the internal divisions.
During this tense encounter, Bashir Memon confronted Governor Hashmi over allegations that the latter had credited former President Asif Ali Zardari with facilitating his appointment as Governor. Memon questioned the legitimacy and intentions behind Hashmi’s visit, which further fueled the already strained atmosphere. The situation reportedly deteriorated when Memon allegedly slapped Khurram Bhatti, a close aide of Governor Hashmi, an incident that shocked many observers and highlighted the severity of the conflict.
In addition to the physical altercation, those accompanying Governor Hashmi were subjected to harsh verbal exchanges, adding another layer of complexity to the dispute. At one point during the meeting, the Governor’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) was asked to leave the room, indicating the intensity and sensitivity of the discussions taking place. Despite the seriousness of these events, neither side has released an official statement to clarify the situation or offer their perspectives publicly.
This internal discord comes in the wake of President Asif Ali Zardari’s formal approval of Nehal Hashmi’s appointment as Governor Sindh on March 12. Acting on the Prime Minister’s advice, the President signed the summary under Article 101 of the Constitution, officially endorsing Hashmi’s new role. The President extended his congratulations to Hashmi, wishing him success during his tenure, and signed the commission of appointment, marking the formal start of his governorship.
Nehal Hashmi is anticipated to take his oath of office soon, with the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court expected to administer the ceremony. Meanwhile, outgoing Governor Kamran Tessori has publicly congratulated Hashmi on his new position. Tessori also expressed his appreciation to President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir for their roles in facilitating the smooth transition of the governorship.
The unfolding situation within PML-N’s Sindh chapter reflects broader challenges faced by political parties in maintaining unity amid shifting alliances and power dynamics. As the party navigates these internal conflicts, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the rift can be healed or if it will deepen, potentially impacting PML-N’s influence in Sindh’s political landscape.
