PESHAWAR: Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan announced the finalization of Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah’s name for the position of the new caretaker chief minister in a meeting held in Peshawar today.
Shah, who previously served as the law minister in the cabinet of former CM Muhammad Azam Khan, has a notable background, having also held the position of chief justice in Gilgit Baltistan before joining the cabinet.
The decision was taken in a meeting of Mahmood Khan and Ikram Khan Durrrani, former opposition leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly.
The caretaker chief executive Azam Khan was was died on Saturday morning at the age of 89 due to brief illness and a heart attack.
Azam, who took on the role of caretaker chief minister in January this year after the dissolution of the provincial assembly by the PTI-led government, leaves a void that necessitates swift decisions regarding his successor.
Earlier, the Ikram Durrani acknowledged the political crisis following Azam’s demise but expressed confidence in resolving the matter today. “I will discuss the appointment of an interim CM with preparation. I will also convince Mahmood Khan as no one rejects my suggestions,” he stated.
The opposition has suggested that the caretaker CM could be selected from either political or bureaucratic backgrounds. KP Advocate General Amir Javid has written to Governor Ghulam Ali, recommending the implementation of Article 224 of the Constitution and inviting the former CM and leader of the Opposition for discussions on the appointment.
Javid emphasized the urgency of completing the appointment process within three days. However, PTI leader Zahir Khan Toru expressed the party’s unwillingness to accept a new chief minister chosen solely by the former CM and the opposition leader. Toru insisted that the matter should be resolved constitutionally, warning of legal action if needed.
“The new CM chosen by Mahmood Khan, Ghulam Ali, and Akram Khan Durrani will be a political one,” Toru added, expressing concerns about a potential lack of a level playing field with the chosen CM.
