KARACHI/QUETTA: The provincial assemblies in Pakistan’s southern Sindh and Balochistan have been dissolved, days after the lower house of parliament ceased to exist, as the country prepares for a transition of power to caretaker setups at the federal and provincial levels ahead of the general elections scheduled for November.

Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar dissolved the province’s legislative assembly on Saturday evening after signing a summary recommended by Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, hours after Pakistan nominated Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar as Caretaker Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Sindh Assembly, which had convened its inaugural session on August 13, 2018, and was poised to conclude its five-year constitutional term on Saturday, was dissolved on Friday, one day prior to the expiration of its tenure.

“As advised by Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo in exercising the power conferred upon under article 112 (1) of the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, I dissolve the Balochistan Assembly,” the summary signed by the Balochistan governor read.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori announced the dissolution of the provincial assembly via the messaging platform X on Friday, attaching his order and the chief minister's request to the post.

Balochistan Chief Minister Bizenjo, who did not convene the final session of the assembly, issued a statement praising his cabinet members and coalition partners for promoting development across the province despite economic challenges and the devastation caused by the 2022 floods.

“We have utilized earnest efforts to ensure good governance and quality educational and health facilities for the masses,” he said in the statement.

Meanwhile, at his farewell cabinet meeting on Friday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure and highlighted the challenges faced by the provincial government, including the aftermath of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods.

“I had almost lost hope to drain out such a deluge of water, but the cabinet members, party workers, and the leadership supported me,” he said.

During its final session, the Sindh cabinet also endorsed a ban on recruitment, except for ongoing processes overseen by the province’s Public Service Commission and essential appointments within development projects backed by donor agencies.

Political deliberations to nominate the interim chief minister of both provinces, however, are still continuing.