The oath-taking ceremony of the newly appointed caretaker chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan was held in the regional capital on Tuesday, marking a significant administrative transition in the region.
Governor Syed Mehdi Shah administered the oath to Justice (R) Yar Muhammad Nasir, a former judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court, who has now officially assumed charge as the caretaker chief minister.
The event drew a large gathering of political and social dignitaries, showcasing broad representation from various segments of society. Their participation highlighted the importance of the caretaker setup as Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) moves toward its next electoral phase.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and G-B, Amir Muqam, was also present at the ceremony, underscoring the federal government’s engagement with the region’s political processes.
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Justice Nasir, who hails from Nasirabad in the Astore district, assumes the caretaker role with a judicial background and longstanding ties to the region. His appointment is expected to guide G-B through the interim period with a focus on neutrality and administrative continuity. He holds a degree in Shariah and Law from the International Islamic University Islamabad, which he completed in 2008.
During his time on the bench, he handled major constitutional, civil, and electoral cases and served as a member of the Election Tribunal. Since retiring, he has remained involved in the legal field, currently affiliated with The Legal Acumen, a private firm.
The G-B Assembly and government were dissolved at midnight last Monday after completing their constitutional term. With the assembly’s dissolution, the region’s government also stood dissolved, according to an official announcement.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his capacity as chairperson of the G-B Council, approved the appointment of Justice (R) Yar Muhammad Khan as caretaker chief minister under Article 48-A(2) of the Government of G-B Order, 2018.
