Retired Supreme Court justice, Maqbool Baqar, is poised to become Sindh’s caretaker chief minister, with his oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, August 16. His nomination came after three rounds of negotiations between outgoing Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the Leader of the Opposition in the dissolved Sindh Assembly, Rana Ansar. The discussions concluded just hours before their set 3-day deadline.
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) unanimously approved Baqar’s nomination. After their agreement, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori confirmed his appointment. Baqar emphasized his commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution, noting the significance of overseeing the upcoming general elections and addressing public concerns.
Read: Justice Maqbool Baqar: The Consensus for Interim Sindh Chief Minister
A Glance at Justice (retd) Baqar’s Esteemed Career
Justice (retd) Baqar’s legal journey began in May 1981 and has been marked by commendable courage and dedication. Serving as a senior judge at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, he faced considerable challenges, including an attack by a terrorist organization in retaliation for his judgments against them.
Among his notable verdicts was the Baldia factory fire case, which led to significant compensation for the victims. Beyond his rulings, Baqar has been an outspoken critic of the judiciary. Following his retirement, he highlighted corruption within the system and stressed the need for merit-based inductions. Baqar’s commitment to judicial integrity has been evident throughout his career.