Caretaker cabinet formed in Gilgit-Baltistan after five-week delay

Set-up to manage daily affairs and ensure smooth elections expected by June

A 14-member caretaker cabinet was officially notified in Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday, ending over a month of administrative uncertainty since the caretaker chief minister took charge.

The appointments came more than five weeks after caretaker Chief Minister Justice (R) Yar Mohammad was sworn in on November 25, 2025. The new cabinet includes twelve ministers and two advisors, with one woman appointed among them. The long delay between the chief minister's oath-taking and the cabinet's formation had sparked concerns over governance delays during a key transitional period.

The notification was issued by the Prime Minister as Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, following a recommendation from the caretaker chief minister and in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The ministers appointed are Sajid Ali Baig, Engr Altaf Hussain, Ghulam Abbas, Col (Rtd) Abrar Ismail, Meher Dad, Sharafat Din, Maulana Sarwar Shah, Raja Shehbaz Khan, Mumtaz Hussain, Dr Niaz Ali, Syed Adil Shah, and Bahadur Ali. Syeda Fatima and Abdul Hakeem will serve as advisors.

The caretaker administration is tasked with overseeing day-to-day affairs and ensuring a smooth electoral process, with general polls anticipated in the region by June.