ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the appointment of Justice (Retd) Yar Muhammad Khan, as interim chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The premier granted approval for the appointment after holding consultation.

The development comes after the five-year constitutional term of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly officially concluded at midnight, leading to the dissolution of the provincial government.

The chief election commissioner issued a notification confirming the appointment of the caretaker setup. The government’s dissolution took effect at midnight, with all administrative responsibilities now transferred to the caretaker government.

Under the interim arrangement, the caretaker government will conduct the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. These elections will be held in accordance with the Federal Election Act of 2017, ensuring a smooth transition to the next elected government.

Justice Yar Muhammad Khan Profile

Justice Yar Muhammad, a native of Nasirabad in District Astore, brings a wealth of judicial experience to his new role. With a background rooted in rural life, he has built a notable career across various levels of the judicial system.

His journey began as a civil judge, and he went on to serve as a District and Sessions Judge. Later, he took on the role of Registrar at the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court before being appointed as a Judge of the same court. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in addressing constitutional, civil, and electoral matters.

Throughout his judicial career, Justice Yar Muhammad was involved in several high-profile cases and was an active participant in the region’s electoral processes. He also served on the Election Tribunal, where he was responsible for resolving disputes concerning nomination papers and addressing electoral irregularities.