Muhammad Mian Soomro


Muhammad Mian Soomro is a Pakistani politician and a banker who currently serves as the Federal Minister for Privatization. Previously, he served as the Chairman of the Senate from 2003 to 2009, the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2007 to 2008 and the acting President of Pakistan from 18 August 2008 to 9 September 2008.
Soomro hails from an influential Sindhi feudal family that has been active in national politics since 1923. His father, the late Ahmed Mian Soomro, was Deputy Speaker of the West Pakistan Assembly and a member of the Senate and helped to establish the Senate Committee Systems. He is the grandson of another politician, Khan Bahadur Haji Moula Bux Soomro. He was Prime Minister of Pakistan in an acting capacity from 16 November 2007 to 25 March 2008 to oversee the 2008 General Elections and became the 3rd Acting President of Pakistan upon the resignation of Pervez Musharraf on 18 August 2008, both by virtue of his office of the Chairman of the Senate.

Professional life

An internationally recognised professional banker, Soomro held various top positions both at home and abroad in national and international organisations.
He has also worked in important positions for major banks:
Soomro earned great recognition for his achievements during his time with these organisations. He was also instrumental in the establishment of microcredit banking in Pakistan.
He also held a position at the board of directors of Shell Pakistan Ltd.

Governorship

Soomro's public service role started with his appointment as the Governor of Sindh on 25 May 2000.

Chairman of the Senate

Soomro resigned from the office of Sindh Governor on 26 December 2002 to contest the Senate elections. He was elected as a Senator on 23 February 2003 and was subsequently elected as Chairman of the Senate on 12 March 2003.

Caretaker Prime Minister

Soomro was appointed as caretaker prime minister on 15 November 2007, at the expiration of the term of the previous prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, ahead of a new parliamentary election. On 16 November, Soomro was sworn in as prime minister by President Pervez Musharraf. His term ended on 25 March 2008, when Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani was sworn in as prime minister.

President of Pakistan

As required by the constitution, Soomro automatically became President on 18 August 2008, upon the resignation of Pervez Musharraf. The constitution also required that a new President be elected by Parliament within 30 days.
Asif Ali Zardari was elected President and subsequently sworn in on 9 September 2008, succeeding Soomro.

Trustee of ILM Trust and Member of UMT Board of Governors

Soomro is a trustee of ILM Trust and member of UMT Board of Governors. UMT is a non-profit private-sector research university located in Lahore, Pakistan. In the recent QS Rankings, UMT was placed amongst the Top 500 universities of Asia.