Muhammad Mian Soomro

Muhammad Mian Soomro is a Pakistani politician, banker and senator. He has held several high-ranking positions including Chairman of the Senate, Caretaker Prime Minister and Acting President of Pakistan.

Early life and education

Soomro was born on 19 August 1950 to a native Sindhi family. His lineage is originally linked to the Soomra dynasty. He hails from an influential Sindhi feudal family that has been active in national politics since 1923.

His father, the late Ahmed Mian Soomro, served as Deputy Speaker of the West Pakistan Assembly. This man was also a member of the Senate and helped to establish the Senate Committee Systems. Soomro is the grandson of Khan Bahadur Haji Moula Bux Soomro, who was another politician.

Career

Soomro began his public service role when he was appointed as the 26th Governor of Sindh on 25 May 2000. He later resigned from this office on 26 December 2002 to contest the Senate elections. Following his election as a Senator on 23 February 2003, he was elected Chairman of the Senate on 12 March 2003. He served in this capacity until 2009.

His political career included serving as the Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan from 16 November 2007 to 25 March 2008. President Pervez Musharraf swore him into this role to oversee the 2008 General Elections. Upon the resignation of Pervez Musharraf on 18 August 2008, Soomro became the 5th Acting President of Pakistan. He held this position until Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in on 9 September 2008.

As an internationally recognised professional banker, Soomro held various top positions at national and international organisations. He worked for Bank of America and served as the general manager and chief executive officer of the International Bank of Yemen. His banking experience includes roles at Faysal Islamic Bank of Bahrain, MCB Bank and the National Bank of Pakistan.

He also held positions with Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, which was formerly known as the Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan. He served the Federal Bank of Cooperatives and sat on the board of directors for Shell Pakistan Ltd. During his time with these organisations, he was instrumental in the establishment of microcredit banking in Pakistan.

He also served as the Federal Minister for Privatization.

Personal life

Soomro is a trustee of ILM Trust. He is also a member of the UMT Board of Governors for a non-profit private-sector research university located in Lahore. This institution was placed amongst the Top 500 universities of Asia in recent QS Rankings.