Justice (Retd) Arshad Hussain Shah Appointed Interim Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR: In a Significant development, Justice (Retd) Arshad Hussain Shah has been appointed as the interim Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP),.

The appointment was formalized as KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali signed the Summary endorsing Justice (Retd) Arshad Hussain Shah as the Caretaker Chief Minister for the Province. The Oath of office was administered to Shah by Governor Haji Ghulam Ali in a ceremony marking the official Commencement of his interim tenure.

The Decision to appoint Justice Arshad Hussain Shah Followed a meeting between Mahmood Khan the former Chief Minister and Opposition leader Akram Khan Durrani. Mahmood Khan stated We agreed on the name of Justice Arshad Hussain Shah” as the suitable Candidate for the caretaker Chief Minister Position.

Justice Arshad Hussain Shah brings a wealth of experience to the role having previously served as the law minister in the Cabinet of former CM Muhammad Azam Khan. Moreover Shah has a distinguished background having held the Position of Chief Justice in Gilgit Baltistan.

This appointment comes in the wake of the Unfortunate demise of Muhammad Azam Khan the Previous Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Azam Khan, aged 89, passed away in Peshawar, a day before Justice Arshad Hussain Shah’s appointment. Reports indicate that Azam Khan was admitted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar after falling ill on Friday. He had taken over the role of caretaker chief minister in January of the same year.

However not everyone is in agreement with the Choice of Justice Arshad Hussain Shah. Zahir Khan Toru a leader from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced that the Party would not accept the newly appointed Chief Minister.

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The formal Process for the appointment of the Caretaker Chief Minister began when KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali extended an invitation to Mahmood Khan and Akram Khan Durrani. The consultation Process as per Article 224(1A) of the Constitution, concluded with the agreement on Justice Arshad Hussain Shah as the interim leader.

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As Justice (Retd) Arshad Hussain Shah takes on the responsibilities of the caretaker Chief Minister the focus will be on navigating the province through this transitional period until the next elected Government assumes office.