KARACHI, Dec 17: Ali Mohammad Mahar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q became the 25th chief minister of Sindh on Tuesday when he was administered the oath of office by Governor Mohammedmian Soomro at a ceremony held at the Governor’s House.

Leaders and MPAs of the People’s Party Parliamentarians and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal did not attend the ceremony, which started one-and a-half hour behind its schedule at 1.30pm due to the late arrival of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali.

MPAs of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and members of its coordination committee led by Dr Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil and Syed Sardar Ahmad attended the ceremony in full strength.

Mr Mahar entered the venue along with Prime Minister Jamali and Governor Soomro. The ceremony started with the recitation from Holy Quran, followed by its translation. After the induction of Mr Mahar, Chief Secretary K.B. Rind, who conducted the ceremony, felicitated the chief minister on behalf of the government.

The prime minister and the governor also felicitated Mr Mahar on assumption of the office.

Later, talking to newsmen, Mr Mahar expressed his gratitude to Allah for bestowing the honour.

He said his first priority would be to improve the law and order situation and give the province a stable government which could meet the people’s expectations.

He said he would discharge his duty with the best of his abilities and in an honest and transparent manner. Mr Mahar said he would serve people with devotion.

When asked about the formation of cabinet, the chief minister said he would soon form a small cabinet which would consist of ten ministers. He said before finalizing the names of ministers he would consult all the coalition partners.

When asked how he would accommodate the major coalition group in a ten-member cabinet as it expects 18 ministries, Mr Mahar said: “We will sort out this issue through consultation.”

When asked whether he discussed with Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali the problems being faced by Sindh, Mr Mahar said the prime minister was well aware of the problems and joint efforts would be made to redress all the problems faced by the people.

To a question, Governor Mohammedmian Soomro said the government had fulfilled its commitment and a democratic government had been formed in the province.

The ceremony was also attended by diplomats, representatives of the three armed forces, high ranking civil and military officials, Federal Minister Ghous Bux Mahar, leaders and MPAs of the Grand National Alliance, city Nazim and deputy Nazim and others.