Anwar new Liberal leader

The Saskatchewan Liberals have a new leader.

Naveed Anwar has won the leadership by acclamation. The announcement took place at a party event in Saskatoon over the weekend.

Anwar, who grew up in Pakistan but now resides in Saskatoon, runs a tax consulting firm in the city. He studied statistics and math at the University of Punjab (Lahore) and business at Concordia University in Montreal, and also holds a master’s degree in political science. Anwar had previously run for the Liberals as their candidate in Saskatoon Westview in 2016.

He takes over from Tara Jijian, who had been interim leader since the fall of last year.

“I truly appreciate the support shown by the executive and Liberal members to have me lead the Liberal Party into the next provincial election,” said Anwar in a news release.

“I am looking forward to providing strong leadership to bring a positive kind of politics to Saskatchewan, focusing on ideas that will benefit our province and our people in the long term through economic and social diversity.”