Sindh has remained under various dynasties ranging from Rai, Brahmin, Arabs, Soomra, and Sama to Arghuns and Tarkhans and from Mughals, Kalhoros to Talpurs etc in the past. Later, the British invaded Sindh, dethroning the Talpurs by ending their 60-year rule and shifting the capital from Hyderabad to Karachi.

The province is home to several political dynasties and the electoral history of every second district indicates that these families, be they the Shirazis, Syeds, Arbabs, Mahars or Makhdooms et al, have all been ruling the roost under civilian and military regimes to maintain a stranglehold on the system.

In a nutshell, it is perhaps inevitable for major political parties to woo them through their tickets to consolidate their positions in order to reach the corridors of power. These politically well-entrenched ‘electables’ opt for the best bargain to stay relevant in the ongoing game of thrones.

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