Pakistan’s president has approved the appointment of Nehal Hashmi, a senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N), as the new governor of Sindh, following a summary sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Official sources said the summary for the appointment was forwarded to the president under Articles 48 and 101 of the Constitution and has now been formally approved, clearing the way for Hashmi to assume the office.

The prime minister also met Hashmi and congratulated him on the new responsibility. The meeting discussed Sindh’s political situation, governance matters in the province and future plans.

Senior government figures, including Ishaq Dar and Rana Sanaullah, were also present during the meeting, according to sources.

Hashmi, who hails from Karachi, has long been associated with PML-N politics and is regarded as one of the party’s senior figures in Sindh.

He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 2015 on a general seat from Punjab as a candidate of the party.

Earlier in his career, Hashmi served as adviser on law, justice and human rights to then prime minister Nawaz Sharif from 1997 to 1999. He has also held several organisational positions within the party, including president of PML-N Karachi in 2012 and general secretary of the party in Sindh in 2014.

The appointment will replace Kamran Tessori of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), who has been serving as Sindh governor since October 10, 2022.