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Last edited July 1, 2026


Syed Murad Ali Shah Lakyari
سید مراد على شاه لکیاری
File:Syed Murad Ali Shah Cabinet.jpg
29th Chief Minister of Sindh
Assumed office
27 February 2024
GovernorKamran Tessori
Nehal Hashmi
Preceded byMaqbool Baqar (caretaker)
In office
18 August 2018 – 17 August 2023
GovernorAgha Siraj Durrani (acting)
Imran Ismail
Kamran Tessori
Preceded byFazal-ur-Rehman (caretaker)
Succeeded byMaqbool Baqar (caretaker)
In office
29 July 2016 – 28 May 2018
GovernorIshratul Ibad
Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui
Muhammad Zubair
Preceded byQaim Ali Shah
Succeeded byFazal-ur-Rehman (caretaker)
Provincial Minister of Sindh for Finance
In office
2013–2016
Provincial Minister of Sindh for Irrigation
In office
2008–2013
Member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh
Assumed office
25 February 2024
ConstituencyPS-77 Jamshoro-I
In office
13 August 2018 – 11 August 2023
ConstituencyPS-80 Jamshoro-I
In office
29 May 2013 – 28 May 2018
ConstituencyPS-73 Jamshoro-cum-Dadu
In office
2008–2013
ConstituencyPS-73 Jamshoro-cum-Dadu
In office
2002–2007
ConstituencyPS-73 Jamshoro-cum-Dadu
Personal details
Born (1962-11-08) 8 November 1962 (age 63)
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
CitizenshipPakistani
Political partyPPP (2007–present)
Parent(s)
Alma materNED University of Engineering and Technology
Stanford University


Syed Murad Ali Shah Lakyari (born 8 November 1962) is a Pakistani politician and structural engineer currently holding office as the Chief Minister of Sindh province in Pakistan. He simultaneously holds membership in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh and is presently serving his third consecutive term in the chief ministership. Prior to his current role, he occupied ministerial portfolios including the position of Provincial Minister for Irrigation of Sindh and Finance Minister of Sindh.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Syed Murad Ali Shah Lakyari was born in Karachi, West Pakistan, hailing from a Sindhi Muslim Lakyari Syed family lineage. His father, Syed Abdullah Ali Shah, also held office as Chief Minister of Sindh province. The individual claims descent from the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Sadaruddin Lakyari (commonly known as Lakhi Shah Sadar), whose shrine is situated near Sehwan Sharif.

He completed his secondary education at Saint Patrick's High School, followed by intermediate studies at D.J. Sindh Government Science College in Karachi before admission to the engineering programme at NED University of Engineering and Technology. Upon graduation, he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering and received recognition as a silver medalist. Thereafter, he secured the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Scholarship enabling postgraduate study in the United States. At Stanford University in California, he earned a Master of Science degree in structural engineering, subsequently completing an additional master's qualification two years hence in economic systems through continued international scholarship funding.

Professional Career Prior to Politics[edit | edit source]

Between 1986 and 1990, Shah pursued professional engineering employment with the Government of Sindh, serving as a water engineer at the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Lahore. Later appointments included positions at the Port Qasim Authority in Karachi and the city engineers' office for Hyderabad Development Authority. Prior to entering politics, he maintained concurrent employments spanning WAPDA, Port Qasim Authority, Hyderabad Development Authority, and ultimately the private financial sector. His banking career encompassed roles at Citibank across multiple locations including operations in Sindh, London, and the Middle East. Additionally, he served at the Gulf Investment Corporation headquartered in Kuwait.

Electoral Career and Political Offices[edit | edit source]

Murad Ali Shah entered elective office when he first joined the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in 2002, representing constituency PS-73 (Dadu III). Following successful re-election in 2008 as a Pakistan Peoples Party candidate, he held the portfolio of Provincial Minister for Irrigation within the cabinet of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. Subsequently, he assumed responsibility as Provincial Finance Minister during 2013 [VERIFY: Precise appointment timing relative to citizenship dispute]. On July 2016, Shah attained the office of Chief Minister of Sindh.

Prior to elevations as Chief Minister in 2016, Shah had occupied the ministries of Irrigation and Finance within the Sindh provincial administration. However, his candidacy for the 2013 general election faced disqualification proceedings stemming from allegations regarding retained Canadian citizenship. After substantiating through judicial proceedings that he no longer possessed Canadian nationality, he secured permission to participate in the poll [VERIFY: Disqualification timeline and court ruling details]. Upon qualification validation, he achieved victory marking his third consecutive assembly membership. Post-victory, he received assignment to the Finance Ministry within the subsequent provincial cabinet formation.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Profile: Murad Ali Shah sets precedent in Sindh by inheriting father's mantle". Dawn. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2017.