F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: In a significant development for the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, a distinguished jurist hailing from Mansehra District, has been appointed as the Caretaker Chief Minister. His extensive legal background includes serving as the Judge of Peshawar Highcourt and Chief Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court in Gilgit-Baltistan from 2019 to 2022.
Mr. Shah has previously held the position of Minister for Law, Auqaf, and Human Rights in the caretaker cabinet of Muhammad Azam Khan. On August 19, 2023, he was inducted into the provincial cabinet of the Caretaker Chief Minister, Muhammad Azam Khan, and entrusted with the crucial portfolios of Law, Auqaf, and Human Rights. His tenure in this role continued until the unfortunate demise of Muhammad Azam Khan, leading to the dissolution of the cabinet.
Following these events, on November 12, Mr. Shah was nominated as the next Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His nomination was endorsed by Akram Khan Durrani, the former Leader of the Opposition in the Provincial Assembly, and received agreement from Mahmood Khan, the former elected Chief Minister. In a ceremony presided over by Governor Ghulam Ali, Mr. Shah was sworn in as the Chief Minister on the same day.
Notably, Syed Arshad Hussain Shah comes from a well-educated family background, with one of his brothers currently serving as a Secretary to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and another in the Islamabad Police as DIG.
While the newly appointed Caretaker Chief Minister is expected to face challenges, including the persistent issue of terrorism in the province and the dire financial situation, his diverse portfolio and demonstrated competence inspire hope for effective governance. Observers anticipate a controlled and strategic approach to addressing these challenges, offering optimism for improved administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under his leadership.
