Sheikh Jaffar Mandokhail, a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), took the oath as the new governor of Balochistan during a ceremony held at the Governor House on Monday, as reported by Geo News.
The newly-appointed governor of Balochistan was administered the oath by Chief Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar of the Balochistan High Court. Outgoing Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar and provincial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti were among the attendees at the oath-taking ceremony.
Additionally, provincial ministers, assembly members, political figures, and other officials were present at Mandokhail’s swearing-in ceremony, as reported by Geo News. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representative has now assumed the role of the 24th governor of the southwestern province.
“The problems and difficulties of the province will be discussed with the federal government. There is room for improvement in terms of governance in the province,” Mandokhail said, speaking with journalists following the oath-taking ceremony.
Governor Mandokhail, when asked about the fencing of Gwadar, stated that he had no knowledge of any such development.
“No knowledge about fencing in Gwadar. If it is being installed for security purposes, then it is a good thing,” he said.
In an interview with Geo News last week, Mandokhail, who serves as the president of the PML-N’s provincial chapter, expressed his commitment to serving the country and the nation in his capacity as governor, as per Geo News.
“I will play the role of a bridge between the province and the Centre,” he had said.
Born on December 26, 1956, in Quetta, Mandokhail completed his matriculation from St. Francis Grammar School and obtained his master’s degree from Balochistan University. He began his political career in 1974 through student politics and served as the president of MSF.
The politician made his electoral debut from Zhob on a provincial seat on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) in 1988.
He held various ministerial positions, serving as the education minister from 1990 to 1993, finance minister from 1993 to 1996, and home minister from 1997 to 1999. Mandokhail contested the 2002 elections on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) and emerged victorious. Following his success in the 2013 elections, he was entrusted with the responsibilities of three departments—Board of Revenue, Excise and Transport, as reported by Geo News.
In the 2018 elections, Mandokhail ran on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) but was defeated by the candidate of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Mitha Khan. In the 2024 elections, he contested from his Zhob constituency on the PML-N’s ticket but was defeated by a candidate from the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).