PML-N's Muhammad Zubair takes oath as 32nd governor of Sindh in Karachi

E-Paper | October 31, 2026

PML-N's Muhammad Zubair takes oath as 32nd governor of Sindh in Karachi

Dawn.com Published February 2, 2017

PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair was sworn in as the 32nd Governor of Sindh on Thursday in a ceremony underway at Governor House in Karachi.

Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Syed Sajjad Ali Shah administered the oath to Muhammad Zubair at the ceremony.

The new governor was sworn in after the the shortest-serving Sindh governor retired justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui passed away in January.

SHC Chief Justice Syed Sajjad Ali Shah and PML-N's Muhammad Zubair at the oath-taking ceremony in Karachi. ─ DawnNews

Zubair, who was chairman of the Privatisation Commission when he was appointed to the governor's post, is the brother of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Asad Umar.

He holds a master's degree in business administration from Karachi's Institute of Business Administration, where he was elected to the Board of Directors in 1980 as a student representative and also taught Financial Management from 1981-1986.

Prior to serving as chairman of the Privatisation Commission, Zubair was chairman of the Board of Investment from July to December 2013.

From 2012-13, he was a part of the PML-N's Economic, Tax Reforms and Media Committees.

Before working in government, Zubair was employed by IBM, where he held various positions for the duration of his 26-year career until 2007, according to information available on the Privatisation Commission website.

Pakistan

PML-N's Muhammad Zubair to take charge as governor of Sindh

Shortest-serving Sindh governor Siddiqui dies

Zubair brings experience of academia and corporate boardroom to Sindh Governor House

Commentator

Feb 02, 2017 04:37pm

A ray of hope for Karachites...

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asad

Feb 02, 2017 04:51pm

Why not a Mohajir governor in Sindh ? where is mohajir representation now as head ?

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Ansar rizvi

Feb 02, 2017 05:04pm

This appointment of governor is a clear message to MQM Pakistan that their cringe and flattery could not be approved by Nawaz Sharif. Now Urdu Speaking live like in 1980s. Mohajirs need to be united to get their rights

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layman

Feb 02, 2017 05:04pm

Congrats Governor Muhammed Zubair,Karachiiites are lucky to have a jewel and nice person like you. Please set up priorties to relieve the Sindh rural & urban peoples' from existing mega problems. The roads are so worse that even you can feel hilly jerks in your Mercedes limousine,while you can see the garbage piles,and overflowing sewerage even in some parts of DHA,if you care to stop & speak to ordinary street people,they will complain about water & power shortages.Governorship is not a bed of roses,you have to deliver,if you wish to be historically a good Governor. Best Wishes for you and your team.

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last comment

Feb 02, 2017 05:01pm

loyalty paid off

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Shahid

Feb 02, 2017 05:02pm

Still they introduce him as brother of Asad Umar. Asad you are great, Pakistan loves you.

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Wasi Qureshi

Feb 02, 2017 05:06pm

We should keep aside all political affiliation and support him for the betterment of Karachi.

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Asad Hamza

Feb 02, 2017 05:12pm

@LAST COMMENT So true! I don't think he has any interest in this city, only the interest of the ruling party.

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Harmony-1©

Feb 02, 2017 05:13pm

@Asad - Why just "mohajir"? Why not any Pakistani?

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Dilawar

Feb 02, 2017 05:14pm

An educated, well mannered and soft spoken person is the governor. But mohajirs need an Urdu Speaking person despite of such qualities. Nawaz Sharif could have selected someone from mohajirs but he works within the set parameters.

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Habib

Feb 02, 2017 05:14pm

@asad There was a Mohajir governor in Sindh for decades and Pakistani have witnessed the unlawfulness and misuse of power. Stop playing Mohajir Card,

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Razi

Feb 02, 2017 05:12pm

Welcome aboard! I hope you will fully contribute and make the province better. I visited Karachi last month after almost nine years and found it to be in very bad shape. Please work towards improving the infrastructure as well as the social fabric of the province. Thanks,

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Ahmed

Feb 02, 2017 05:19pm

@asad president of Pakistan is Urdu speaking Pakistani

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Logicaldude

Feb 02, 2017 05:18pm

So this how its going to be, A representative of the local population isn't acceptable even in the relatively powerless token position of governorship of the province, MQM crushed and PML(N) obliged with one stroke.

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responsible

Feb 02, 2017 05:19pm

We hope that he will not support PANAMA like investment in Karachi and will not try to defend NS at SC door.

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Salman

Feb 02, 2017 05:26pm

One of the top slots in Sindh should be with given to Muhajirs or frustration among muhajirs will be aggravated.

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layman

Feb 02, 2017 05:27pm

@Ansar rizvi .Don't repeat same mistake,forget any other terminology,simply you are Pakistani,exercise your equality & rights as written in Constituion. Fight legally for your rights.And you can join any party having national color,and exclude all linguistic or narrow minded parties.

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Adil Saleem

Feb 02, 2017 05:31pm

Very sad an educated person with good standing is not acceptable to Karachi due to his ethnicity. Why Nawaz sharif did not select any Muhajir governor? who will listen voice of muhajirs now?

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waqas

Feb 02, 2017 05:38pm

There are no mohajirs in Pakistan except afghans, so stop calling citizens of this country that awful word. governor is from karachi and as such he represents people from sindh. this mohajir card is now down the drain.

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Shahid

Feb 02, 2017 05:39pm

The appointment of this governor clearly indicates Urdu Speaking no more required in politics. A dangerous indicator.

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Akhtar Ahmed

Feb 02, 2017 05:37pm

@waqas Wishes Never Was Dishes.

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Syed Naseem Ahmed

Feb 02, 2017 05:49pm

Pls let other ethinic communities stop calling as Punjabi , Phattan , Balouchi , sindhi , Sherki etc so let Mohajir called them . The policy of the Govt compelled them to be called Mohajir because of the quota system which has gave this distinction . Syed Naseem Ahmed

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Jahangir

Feb 02, 2017 05:49pm

Governor is a ceremonial position and has no power in running the government. Even the CM does not have the desired authority. The government is being run by some invisible hands.

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Manzar

Feb 02, 2017 05:53pm

People advise mohajirs to give up identity and stop calling themselves mohajirs. Those people do not know 'muhajiriat' is in blood so how could mohajirs give it up. Any idea?

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Qaiser

Feb 02, 2017 06:04pm

This post ,though without significant power.should have been assigned to a Urdu speaking Muhajir as there is a very high degree of alienation prevailing among them. Another step to thwart the representation of the Muhajirs .Shame!

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Zubair

Feb 02, 2017 06:04pm

@asad non-sarcastically speaking "Zubair said that he is a proud citizen of Karachi who belongs to Urdu-speaking community." also, Dispelling the propaganda on social media regarding his ethnicity, the designated governor said on micro-blogging website that he is not from Punjab; instead, he is from Karachi.

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Muhammad

Feb 02, 2017 06:03pm

He is kind of technocrat rather than a leader and administrators. A better choice had been a person of integrity and leadership acumen with his or her roots in Sindh. I hope he will develop better rapport with security agencies in the province and boost their efforts in cleaning Sindh, especially Karachi from criminal elements. All the best Mr Zubair.

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concerned

Feb 02, 2017 06:09pm

@asad - until muhajirs support Altaf there will be no muhajir leadership. I am muhajir and I pity that the most educated ethnicity in Pakistan follows a leader like Altaf. No more bhai .

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Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY

Feb 02, 2017 06:12pm

@Manzar What an illogical comment.When you apply for a Pakistani Passport, under the question : What Province are you from? Are you going to write Sindh in order to show you are a Sindhi from Sindh or you will write on the form Mohajir?

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The end is near

Feb 02, 2017 06:11pm

They are all the same. There is no hope left for Karachi people. No clean drinking water, no access to healthcare facilities for poor people, sanitatiion and water problems, roads in Karachi are badly damaged, streets gets flooded even with little rain water, citizens face hour long traffic jams, heaps of garbage on karachi roads everywhere, nobody cares. These governers and ministers get big salaries and other benefits for doing nothing at all. It seems they are answerable to anyone and there is no check and balance and no accountability. They don't take their responsilities seriously and innocent Karachi citizens have to suffer because of criminal negligence of these ministers and governors who Do nothing for the betterment of Karachi but they get paid regularly each and every month.

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Tazu

Feb 02, 2017 06:16pm

Why are they demanding "urdu speaking" governor. A mujahir governor remained in office for 14 years, but didnt do any good for Muhajirs.

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Asad

Feb 02, 2017 06:17pm

@Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY I am sure you know when Director or Assistant Director interviews you before signing passport application he asks your ethnicity and background. How do you respond to that??

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Asad

Feb 02, 2017 06:19pm

@concerned I think you better review definition of a 'leader'.

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Asad

Feb 02, 2017 06:24pm

@Zubair He lived/lives in Karachi and in this context he refers himself from Karachi. But in reality Urdu Speaking means a person who speaks 'Urdu'. I hope you understand now.

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Muhammad

Feb 02, 2017 06:29pm

@layman by the token of Pakistani nationalism Punjabis should stop calling themselves Punjabis, Sindhi and Baluchi and Pakhtoon no longer call themeselves as they are called. There should be Pakistanis in Pakistan.

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Javed noor

Feb 02, 2017 06:28pm

This is an eye opening for MQM Pakistan as their separation from Altaf Hussain and working separately did not work. What they want to do next to prove their loyalty with Pakistan?

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Muhammad

Feb 02, 2017 06:29pm

@Jahangir I have heard of invisible man. Here come invisible hands. Bless ya!

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Hashim

Feb 02, 2017 06:44pm

If our politicians are sincere they should pass a legislation to eliminate racism and ethnicity in Pakistan. There should be strict law that no one will deride another ethnicity and call other than Pakistani. In constitution the word 'Pakistani' should be replaced with four ethnic identities (i.e. punjabi, pakhtoon, sinfhi and baloch). Only this way we as a nation can progress and tolerate each other.

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Usama

Feb 02, 2017 06:52pm

Many congratulations to karachites! This is progressive and positive for all the stake holders... This person is purely genuine and committed towards development of Pakistan and the people...Let's support him!

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BAXAR

Feb 02, 2017 06:55pm

@Harmony-1© " Why just "mohajir"? Why not any Pakistani?" Why not any Pakistani as governor of Punjab?

Recommend 0

Feb 02, 2017 07:00pm

He is one of those corrupt who have damaged Pakistan and Karachi. Supporting him is supporting the corrupt PM.

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Harmony-1©

Feb 02, 2017 07:00pm

@BAXAR - Yes, that was my point. What did you think I said when replying to @Asad?

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my Comments

Feb 02, 2017 07:03pm

Lets see what and how he can provide any improvements to province of Sindh and its people. We know it costs tax payers big money to keep up with expenses of governor house and its staff. (poor tax payers of karachi must be watching closely).

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Shahid

Feb 02, 2017 07:10pm

This line of thinking is ridiculous. Do only mohajirs live in Sindh? He is governor of province of Sindh, not just city of Karachi.

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Habib

Feb 02, 2017 07:05pm

@Hashim Well said. No ethnicity should be mentioned in the constitution as in US everyone is American and his rights are protected under this name. In Pakistan when other ethnic people suggest Muhajirs to call themselves as Pakistani then why not these ethnic people adopt 'Pakistani' by themselves and remove their identities from the constitution. Lets be Pakistani and call by Pakistani.

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Zala

Feb 02, 2017 07:10pm

Mohajirs have made Karachi, the financial hub of Pakistan, which is responsible for generating 70% of the revenues. The party which represents the majority voters of Karachi should get to choose the governor. Period.

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Asad

Feb 02, 2017 07:10pm

@Harmony-1© Here you trick. You know governor is appointed by PM which is usually from Punjab. What else I say.

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Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY

Feb 02, 2017 07:11pm

@Asad When I got my Passport no such question was asked by any " Director" or "Assistant Director"before handing me my Passport. Maybe you are talking about some other country not Pakistan?

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FarakH

Feb 02, 2017 07:09pm

Probably, the only right appointment decision by PML-N. I was afraid Abid Sher Ali might have been the PM's Choice.

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Asad

Feb 02, 2017 07:25pm

@Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY Sir perhaps he may not have asked you cause your ethnicity was obvious. You were son of soil but for mohajirs this is not the case. I have personally gone through this questions outside of Pakistan when the director asked my background, my father and their ancestors migration etc. What does it indicate? My personal identity and documents were not enough? You people have to change your attitude and mindset before you expect positive things from Mohajirs.

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Feb 02, 2017 07:33pm

@layman keep dreaming and wishing.he hasn't been granted this position to serve you but to master and enjoy. Just see his past

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BAXAR

Feb 02, 2017 07:32pm

@Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY "Maybe you are talking about some other country not Pakistan?" This is how it feels, you are correct. The director didn't need to ask as the answer of that question was there, when you submitted the application. They ask only when the answer is not clear.

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kazim jatoi

Feb 02, 2017 07:35pm

@Habib sir this is too much this is the right of our Muhajir brothers to have urdu speaking Governor like, Sadia Hakim Saeed, Huma Baqai, Nehail Hashmi, Abdul Karim Dhadhi, Faisal Edhi, you name it these Pakistani first and son of soil. do Zubair have karachi domicile ?

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Syed Zafat Kazmi U.S.A

Feb 02, 2017 07:39pm

@Harmony-1© Well for that matter why not Mohammad Zunair too-is he not Pakistani ? The question is why not a Mohajir from among the locals instead of importing from Punjab that has monopoly on all federal and as well provincial positions. To you is the question are Mohajirs not Pakistani whether they reside in Sindh or Punjab why do they have to be indiscriminately discriminated against?

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PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN)

Feb 02, 2017 07:39pm

Pathetic. Remote Governor can't understand the problems of Karachi people.

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Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY

Feb 02, 2017 07:34pm

@Asad Sindh is the final home of the Urdu Speaking People.No Sindhi has ever called an Urdu Speaking person a Mohajir. They are now part of Sindh and are Urdu Speaking Sindhis.

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ghulfan sherazi

Feb 02, 2017 07:43pm

@waqas : No sir it is not acceptable, our right to be given we Pakistan and than urdu speaking muhajir from Karachi, and Governor from Karachi is simple practice under constitution of 1973.

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Khan USA

Feb 02, 2017 07:58pm

Failed at the Privitization commission and now appointed to fail as Governor !

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Khan USA

Feb 02, 2017 07:59pm

Muhajir have no representation in the current Dindh set up !

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layman

Feb 02, 2017 07:59pm

@Fr .Inshallah he will deliver par excellence,far better than Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad .

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mohammed

Feb 02, 2017 08:00pm

@Razi looks like you know nothing about the governor's position in the Pakistani system this is just a decorative post it is like lion with no teeth.

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Najaf

Feb 02, 2017 08:03pm

Yet another BAD decision by the PML-N government! They should have picked at least some one from the province of Sindh.

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Hammad

Feb 02, 2017 08:04pm

Nawaz Sharif seems to be living in 90s era. This is 2017. People are more educated and aware of their right. Governorship is a right of Muhajirs if CM is Sindhi. Period. Gone the days when people of Karachi endured the injustice. Now Muhajirs will never accept unilateral decisions and agitate against suppression.

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Syed Zafat Kazmi U.S.A

Feb 02, 2017 08:08pm

@Commentator What ray of hope for Karachites is there when a governor instead of being picked from the local population is imported from Punjab the only province that holds monopoly on all federal as well as provincial positions of the nation. Be ware this is a very dangerous course if history be any guide that is how we had lost the Eastern wing of the country

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asif

Feb 02, 2017 08:13pm

What a life, one brother in enjoying opposition perks and the other is enjoying government facilities and we are clapping for them.

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Hamid Shafiq

Feb 02, 2017 08:47pm

He do not properly run privatisation department how I expect better to work as governor?

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Khan USA

Feb 02, 2017 08:52pm

@asif This is our political culture and most of the elite families have not have put their all eggs in one basket . One egg is in PML N , one in PPP basket , one in PTI and one in Uniform ! Equal distribution of wealth means risks all minimized for benefits and perks in all season !

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Saad Saad

Feb 02, 2017 08:53pm

Before offering him governorship, his performance regarding 'privatisation' should have been evaluated. He was tasked with an important point of the ruling party's manifesto and all he has to offer at the end of his 3.5 years is: (1) mud slinging at opponents in talk shows purely irrelevant to his job; (2) uncountable number of press conferences at PID forum wherein the sole agenda used to be defending the Sharif family and abusing, rightly or wrongly, PTI and IK

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Feb 02, 2017 08:59pm

Now majority has zero representation in Urban Sindh. Excellent democracy

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Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY

Feb 02, 2017 09:08pm

@BAXAR Thank you for your comment.

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O Hanif

Feb 02, 2017 09:22pm

If he is so good why is not good as Punjab governor?

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Houlbelat

Feb 02, 2017 10:00pm

It is strange that two brothers of high calibre professionals esteem of standings are running the two staunchest opponents in politics. If only they could join hands and build the country fast crumbling on every score.

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Houlbelat

Feb 02, 2017 10:02pm

@asad: Go see his CV, he is an Urdu speaking Karachiite who refuses to call himself Muhajir after being born in an independent country and deeply rooted in the mainstream.

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Ahmad Zubair

Feb 02, 2017 10:01pm

Congratulations,My name fellow Zubair Sahib. I feel you a very good selection for the Sindh Province.

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Zak

Feb 03, 2017 12:04am

@asad Pakistan is just not made for Mohajirs only and by the way Mohajirs are living everywhere in Pakistan. Stop being ideal racist everytime.

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Mohammad

Feb 03, 2017 12:26am

Finally good hope for Karachi's people... This man is purely from Karachi. Earned MBA degree from IBA and serving the institute is a big contribution. I am sure he will do his best and bring talented people on board.

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asad

Feb 03, 2017 10:00am

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asad

Feb 03, 2017 03:49pm

@Zak racists are the one who make the community deprived to elect freely the representation of their liking.

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