Earlier, the Sindh chief minister sent a summary to the Governor, advising him to dissolve the provincial assembly on Tuesday — at least 16 days before its date of completion.Following the signature of governor on the summary, the law and parliamentary affairs department issued notification for the dissolution of the Sindh Assembly.With dissolution of the assembly, the Sindh cabinet members will cease to hold offices.However, Syed Qaim Ali Shah will continue working as CM until the announcement of caretaker chief minister.

So far, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Opposition leader of MQM in the Sindh Assembly, Syed Sardar Ahmed have not developed a consensus on the name of the caretaker chief minister as several names are under consideration between two sides.

The Sindh Assembly remained almost half period of five years without an opposition leader as all the parliamentary parties remained part of government due to reconciliation policy of President Zardari. However, it was better off than Balochistan Assembly where there was no Opp leader until the tail-end of the assembly when CM Raisani returned and sought to install an Opp leader. The Balochistan High Court, however, turned down Maulana Wasay’s appointment as Opp leader there.

Following the dissolution of Sindh Assembly, Justice (r) Zahid Qurban Alvi emerged as a strong candidate for the post of caretaker Chief Minister. He, late night on Tuesday, called on Governor Ebad.Earlier, in the meetings between PPP and MQM, the other two names considered were of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain Shah and Justice (r) Hamid Mirza.

Alvi’s name was suggested by the ruling PPP, though it suffered criticism from within as most of the PPP leaders opposed Zahid Qurban Alvi as caretaker CM. To discuss and get a final decision, Qaim Ali Shah along with PPP ministers left Islamabad on Tuesday evening and met President Zardari.After clear decision and clear signal from the Islamabad, Justice retired Zahid Qurban Alvi was summoned to Governor House late night for a meeting with Governor Ebad.

Alvi was born in 1941 in Karachi, who did his masters from Sindh University Jamshoro. He later did LLB and was posted as Judge of Sindh High Court in 1998. After retirement as judge, the Zahid Qurban Alvi is close to the PPP as during the tenure of the present PPP government he was appointed as chief of inquiry tribunal to probe the breach in the Indus River at Guddu Barrage.Alvi was also appointed chief of inquiry tribunal to probe Baldia factory inferno in which over 250 people were burnt alive.

During the five years of the present Assembly, the Sindh legislature passed at least 113 bills into law including significant legislation of establishing Sindh Revenue Board for collection of GST on services, Sindh Higher Education Commission, declaring right to free education for every child of age five to sixteen years for class one to secondary education, Sindh Arms Bill to take action against illegal weapon holders, pro-women law of prevention and protection from domestic violence and other legislation.

Besides, the Sindh Assembly also passed controversial laws including giving legal cover to the out-of-turn promotion of officers, absorption and promotions of officers posted on deputation as well as hiring the retired officers on contractual basis.On the last sitting of the Sindh Assembly, the legislators passed six bills into law for enhancing the 60pc salaries, allowance and other perks and privileges of the MPAs, ministers, advisors, speaker and deputy speaker of Sindh Assembly, besides laws were passed to grant lifetime security, 70pc salary and other facilities to CM, speaker and deputy speaker who served continuously for four years.