Ex-Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair parts ways with PML-N

KARACHI: Former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair announced on Sunday that he is leaving the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) due to some “reservations.”

In an interview  Zubair did not specify the issues that prompted his decision but mentioned that he would decide his future political plans in consultation with his "friends."

Zubair is among several top leaders who have recently parted ways with the ruling party, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-finance minister Miftah Ismail.

Zubair has been openly critical of the current government, formed after the February 8 elections. He recently indicated his dissatisfaction with the party leadership by comparing his situation to Abbasi's.

After former Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha alleged election result manipulation, Zubair suggested that the PML-N should "publicly accept defeat" to allow the country to move forward, although Chatha later retracted his claims.

While it is uncertain whether Zubair will join another political party, Abbasi sought the Election Commission of Pakistan's approval to register a new political party on April 8. Ismail also supports forming a new party with individuals of "proven integrity and competence."

### Zubair's Brief Profile

Muhammad Zubair, a prominent PML-N leader, served as the Sindh governor from February 2, 2017, to August 2018. An Institute of Business Administration (IBA) graduate, Zubair had a distinguished 26-year career with IBM, working in Rome, Milan, Paris, and Dubai. He became the CFO for IBM Pakistan in 1998 and later the CFO for IBM's Middle East/Africa region in 2004.

Zubair joined the PML-N and was part of its Tax Reforms Media Committee between 2012-2013. In July 2013, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Investment, serving until December that year. He then became Chairman of the Privatisation Commission from 2013 to 2017. Additionally, he has been a spokesperson for PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

Zubair is the son of General (retd) Ghulam Umar and the elder brother of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umar. He holds a master's degree in business administration from IBA and has also taught Financial Management there from 1981-1986.