In a historical development, the Sindh government has appointed a member of Christian community Salman Talibuddin as advocate general of the province.
“Salman Talibuddin was appointed as Advocate General Sindh on the terms and conditions as admissible under the rules with immediate effect,” an official notification of his appointement said.
The post of the chief law officer fell vacant after the resifnation of the then advocate general, Zameer Ghumro, in June.
Talibuddin was serving as an additional attorney general before.
Several politicians and civil society members are appreciating the decision of Talibuddin’s appointement.
Senior PPP leader Sherry Rehman took to witter to hail her party for ’empowering the minorities according to Quaid’s vision’.
Well done Sindh Govt for appointing the first Christian Advocate General in Pakistan’s history. Inclusion according to QA Jinnah’s vision is the only way forward for an open society. https://t.co/GXAiyT4Jvg
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 14, 2018
Twitterati have also started reacting to the development:
#PPP setting new heights. Salman Talibudin has been appointed as the first Christian Advocate General Sindh, in Pakistan’s history. Practical work happening here rather than a farcical ‘pomp and show’ of so-called Tabdeeli. 🇱🇾🇱🇾🇵🇰🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/pPRaF6dYff
— Nadir H. Khowaja (@nadir_khowaja) September 14, 2018
In a historic first, #Sindh appoints first non-Muslim Advocate General SALMAN TALIBUDIN, a renowned lawyer from the Christian community – true reflection of a Progressive, Peaceful & Prosperous Pakistan. Credit goes to @MurtazaWahab1. Thank you Chairman @BBhuttoZardari. pic.twitter.com/MJmLkxYTRY
— Majid Agha (@Majid_Agha) September 13, 2018
Salman Talibudin has been appointed as Advocate General Sindh.. 1st Christian Advocate General in Pakistan’s history. Once again #PPP has marked history. pic.twitter.com/S2vhXgmnKs
— Mir Sohrab Khan Mari (@MirSohrab) September 13, 2018
It was the second appointement of a non-Muslim on this post. M L Shahani was the first from the Christian community to be appointed as the Advocate General Sindh. He was later appointed as a judge at the Sindh High Court (SHC).
Shahani obtained his L.L.B. from the University of Sindh in 1973 and had a very successful law practice in Karachi, Sindh Province, when, in 1996, he was appointed Advocate General for the province.
It is not the first time that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has given platform to minorities.
Pakistan People’s Party’s Tanzeela Qambrani was elected on reserved seat for women.
Last month, a woman belonging to Sheedi ethnic group has the pride of being first such female to make her way to the provincial Assembly.