Governors of Gilgit-Baltistan: Overview
Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in northern Pakistan that borders China, India, and Afghanistan. It was formerly known as the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) until 2009 when it was given the status of a province through the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order.
Governor Office
The Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan is the ceremonial head of the provincial government, representing the President of Pakistan in the region. The office of the Governor is established under Article 60 of the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, which serves as the de facto constitution of the region.
Appointment and Term
The Governor is appointed by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the Prime Minister for a term of 5 years. The incumbent Governor can be reappointed for another term. The current Governor is Syed Mehdi Shah, who assumed office on 15 August 2022 on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Powers and Functions
The Governor has both constitutional and discretionary powers, though the latter are rarely exercised in practice.
The key powers of the Governor are:
Executive Powers
- Makes appointments and removals of key provincial officials
- Issues orders and administers oaths
- Chairs the Provincial Cabinet meetings
- Represents the province in dealings with the federal government
Legislative Powers
- Summons, prorogues and dissolves the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly
- Assents to bills passed by the Assembly
- Can promulgate ordinances when the Assembly is not in session
- Addresses the Assembly at the start of each parliamentary year
Judicial Powers
- Appoints judges to the Supreme Appellate Court and Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan
- Can grant pardons, reprieves and respites, and remit, suspend or commute sentences
Emergency Powers
- Can impose emergency on the advice of the Prime Minister when there is a threat of war, external aggression or internal disturbance
- During an emergency, the Governor can directly exercise executive authority with the approval of the Prime Minister
- The Governor can also proclaim a financial emergency on the advice of the Prime Minister
However, in practice, the Governor’s role is largely ceremonial. All executive powers are exercised by the Chief Minister and Cabinet on his behalf. The Governor is bound to act on the advice of the Chief Minister and Cabinet in most matters.
Relationship with the Federal Government
The Governor acts as the link between the federal government and the provincial government. The Governor represents the interests of the federal government in the province and keeps the President and Prime Minister informed about the political and economic situation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The federal government can also issue directives to the Governor on matters related to defense, foreign affairs, and the national economy. The Governor is required to act in accordance with these directives.
Removal and Resignation
The Governor can be removed from office by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor can also resign from office by addressing a resignation letter to the President.
List of all Governors of Gilgit-Baltistan
Since the establishment of the office in 2009, the following individuals have served as Governors of Gilgit-Baltistan:
| Qamar Zaman Kaira | |
| Entered office: 16 September 2009 Left Office: 22 March 2010 Tenure: 188 days Party: Pakistan People’s Party Notable: First Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan after it was granted self-governance under the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009. |  |
| Shama Khalid | |
| Entered office: 23 March 2010 Left Office: 16 September 2010 Tenure: 177 days Party: Pakistan People’s Party Notable: First female Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, focused on promoting women’s education and health services. |  |
| Wazir Baig | |
| Entered office: 17 September 2010 Left Office: 26 January 2011 Tenure: 131 days Party: Pakistan People’s Party Notable: Acted as Governor during a transitional period, emphasized development projects in the region. |  |
| Pir Karam Ali Shah | |
| Entered office: 27 January 2011 Left Office: 15 February 2015 Tenure: 4 years, 19 days Party: Pakistan People’s Party Notable: Served a significant term, known for his efforts in infrastructure development and tourism promotion. |  |
| Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir | |
| Entered office: 16 February 2015 Left Office: 24 November 2015 Tenure: 281 days Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: His tenure focused on political stability and administrative efficiency in the region. |  |
| Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan | |
| Entered office: 24 November 2015 Left Office: 14 September 2018 Tenure: 2 years, 294 days Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: Known for his efforts to integrate Gilgit-Baltistan more closely with the national framework and enhance local governance. |  |
| Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon | |
| Entered office: 30 September 2018 Left Office: 10 April 2022 Tenure: 3 years, 192 days Party: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Notable: Worked on improving infrastructure and socio-economic conditions in the region. |  |
| Syed Mehdi Shah | |
| Entered office: 15 August 2022 Left Office: Incumbent Tenure: Ongoing Party: Pakistan People’s Party Notable: Focused on development projects and addressing local issues such as energy shortages and education. |  |
As Gilgit-Baltistan continues to evolve politically and economically, the office of the Governor will likely continue to play a key role in the region’s governance and development. The Governors will be tasked with balancing the interests of the provincial government with those of the federal authorities in Islamabad.