Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah

Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah (Urdu: سید خورشید احمد شاہ; born 20 April 1952) is a Pakistani politician and lawyer who currently serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan. A leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Shah born in Sukkur and was educated at the Government Islamia Science College Sukkur. Shah began his political career as the member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in 1988 and had been a member of the provincial cabinet, in various positions. He has been inducted into federal cabinet thrice between 1993 to 2013. From 2012 to 2013, he also served as the parliamentarian leader of PPP in the National Assembly. In 2013, Shah was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly. Shah has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1990 from Sukkur constituency and considered as one of the senior leader of PPP having good relations with leaders of other political parties in Pakistan.

Early life and education

Shah was born on 20 April 1952.

He completed his education from Government Islamia Science College, Sukkur. He received his master’s degree in History in 1974 and LLB in 1978, both from Islamia College, Sukkur.

Shah is a professional lawyer and a businessman.

Political career

Shah begun his political career after becoming member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh for the first time in Pakistani general election, 1988 from Sukkur constituency on Pakistan Peoples Party ticket after which he became member of the provincial cabinet, in various positions. He served as the Minister for Education, Minister for transport, Minister for Import Minister for Finance and Minister for information.

Shah was elected as the member of the National Assembly for the first time in Pakistani general election, 1990 from Sukkur constituency.

Shah was elected as the member of the National Assembly for the second time in Pakistani general election, 1993 from Sukkur constituency. Shah was inducted into federal cabinet in 1993 and was appointed as a Minister for Education in Benazir Bhutto’s second ministry.

Shah was re-elected as the member of the National Assembly for the third time in Pakistani general election, 1997 from Sukkur constituency.

Shah was elected as the member of the National Assembly for the fourth time in Pakistani general election, 2002 from Sukkur constituency.

In 2012, Shah became chairman of the parliamentary committee on appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.

Shah was re-elected as the member of the National Assembly for the fifth time in Pakistani general election, 2008 from Sukkur constituency.

Shah was inducted into federal cabinet after the 2008 Pakistani elections and was appointed as a Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis from March 2008 to May 2011. Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis was divided into two ministries in 2009 and Shah remained with Minister for Labour, and Manpower.

He was given additional portfolio of Minister for Religious Affairs where served from from December 2010 to 2013, both in the Gillani ministry. Shah was the parliamentarian leader of PPP in the National Assembly between from 2008 to 2013.

Shah along with leaders of other political parties was tasked with selection on the name for caretaker prime minister of Pakistan prior to the 2013 Pakistan election.

Shah was re-elected as the member of the National Assembly for the sixth time in Pakistani general election, 2013 from second Sukkur constituency.

Shah wa a potential candidate to become Prime Minister of Pakistan after Yousaf Raza Gillani was disqualified to hold the office. In June 2013, Shah was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly by PPP.

Shah is also chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in National Assembly.

Shah is said to have good relations with the leaders of other political parties in Pakistan.