Justice (R) Yar Muhammad named caretaker chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan

GILGIT: Justice (R) Yar Muhammad Khan has been appointed caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan as the elected government completed its 5-year constitutional term at midnight on Monday.

Justice Yar Muhammad Khan has been appointed under Article 48 A(2) of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan order, 2018, according to a notification issued with the approval of Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif.

Justice (R) Yar Muhammad Khan belonged to Astore district and had served in high judicial positions.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government’s 5-year term came to an end at 12 AM on Monday night, after which the caretaker government took over the affairs of the region.

Next general elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly

The caretaker setup will continue till the next general elections to the Assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan.

On the other hand, a notification was issued by the Law and Prosecution Department of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, wherein ministers, advisors, coordinators, and special assistants to the Chief Minister in Gilgit-Baltistan have been de-notified.

A notification was issued under the provisions related to the caretaker government, which will be effective from 12 AM on November 24, 2025.

The decision, as per the notification, was taken according to a memorandum and Clause 56(5) of the Gilgit-Baltistan Governance Reforms 2019, which had been implemented in the region under the Gilgit-Baltistan (Elections and Caretaker Government) Amendment Order 2020.

The statement said that under the above-mentioned laws, the portfolios of all ministers, advisors, coordinators, special assistants, and parliamentary secretaries to the Chief Minister have been abolished.