New Chief Minister

Stakeholders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have unanimously nominated Justice (r) Arshad Hussain Shah as the new caretaker chief minister.

Following the demise of former bureaucrat and caretaker CM Azam Khan at the age of 89, his cabinet automatically dissolved.

Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, along with former CM Mahmood Khan and ex-opposition leader Akram Durrani, reached a consensus on Shah’s candidacy after discussions.

The governor convened a consultation on Sunday to finalize the appointment of the new interim CM in response to Azam Khan’s passing. Justice Arshad Hussain Shah’s nomination marks a key development in the political transition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Khunjerab Pass Closed by China for Next Four Months

Meanwhile,

GILGIT: The Chinese government, after initially agreeing to keep Khunjerab Pass open year-round, has now announced its closure for four months in winter. According to a notice from China’s Xinjiang region, issued by the Khunjerab Port management on Saturday, the pass will be closed from December to March.

This decision contradicts the October 20 joint press statement following caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The statement initially declared the pass operational throughout the year. The notice states that to ensure year-round access, both countries must amend and sign the agreement on border ports and management systems through diplomatic channels.

Until an official notice is issued by China’s State Port Management Office, Khunjerab Port will follow the seasonal mode of customs clearance, closing from December to March. The pass connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang region, functioning as the highest paved international border.