Who could become the next governor of GBAO?
Following the tragic death of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) Governor Alisher Mirzonabot, speculation has emerged over who may be appointed to lead the region.
While no official candidates have been nominated, several names are frequently mentioned by observers and on social media as possible contenders for the post.
At present, the duties of the governor are being carried out by First Deputy Governor Sharifkhon Safarzoda. Whether he will ultimately be appointed to the position remains unclear, as several other figures are also being discussed as potential candidates.
Among the names most often mentioned are:
Nosir Marodbek Surizoda
Nosir Marodbek Surizoda was born on May 24, 1984, in Shugnan district of GBAO. He graduated from Khorog State University in 2006 with a degree in Oriental Studies and obtained a second degree in Economics from the same university in 2014 through distance learning. He speaks Russian, English, Persian, and Arabic and is married. Surizoda began his career as a schoolteacher in Shugnan district in 2006. He later worked as an accountant for the public organization Suri and as a credit officer for the microcredit organization Rushdi Pomir. Between 2010 and 2013, he served as a chief specialist in the department responsible for religious affairs, traditions, and ceremonies in Shugnan district. From 2013 to 2022, he headed the rural jamoat of Ver. In January 2022, he was appointed deputy mayor of Khorog. Two years later, he became chairman of Khuroson district in Khatlon province.
Aziz Giyozoda
Aziz Giyozoda was born on October 7, 1969, in Shugnan district.He graduated from Khorog State University in 1999 and later from the Russian Presidential Academy of Public Administration in 2011.Most of his professional career has been spent in the financial sector and public administration. Between 1997 and 2006, he held various positions in the Ministry of Finance and financial control agencies in GBAO, eventually becoming head of the regional finance department.From 2006 to 2013, he served as deputy governor of GBAO. He then headed Shugnan district from 2013 until 2020.Since 2020, Giyozoda has been a member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon. Following the parliamentary elections in March 2025, he was re-elected and subsequently chosen as deputy speaker of the lower chamber of parliament.
Sharifkhon Safarzoda
Sharifkhon Nourahmad Safarzoda has served as first deputy governor of GBAO since 2023. Prior to that appointment, he headed Varzob district. He assumed that post in July 2022 and left it in May 2023 after being transferred to his current position. Detailed information about Safarzoda’s education, age, and broader professional career is not publicly available. According to some sources, he is native of the Mastchoh district, Sughd province.
Nekrouz Khudoyorov
Nekrouz Khudoyorov, born in 1989 and a native of GBAO, currently heads the region’s Road Administration. Little public information is available about his career. According to Asia-Plus sources, he is the son of former Transport Minister Khudoyor Khudoyorzoda.
Ramzi Mehrikhudozoda
Ramzi Mehrikhudozoda, born in 1977, is a native of GBAO and currently heads the regional office of the Customs Service. A detailed biography of Mehrikhudozoda is not available in open sources.
Final decision rests with the President
Observers note that names discussed by experts and social media users do not necessarily reflect the eventual choice of the country’s leadership. The appointment of regional governors in Tajikistan is made by the president.
Search for Alisher Mirzonabot continues
Meanwhile, the search operation for Alisher Mirzonabot and the other occupants of the vehicle that plunged into the Panj River remains ongoing.
On the morning of June 17, a vehicle carrying Mirzonabot, his wife, daughter, assistant, and driver veered off the Dushanbe–Khorog highway in GBAO’s Darvoz district and fell into the river.
According to Orif Nozimiyon, head of the press center of Tajikistan’s Committee for Emergency Situations (CES), around 100 rescuers have been involved in the search operation, which has now entered its eighth day.
While no official candidates have been nominated, several names are frequently mentioned by observers and on social media as possible contenders for the post.
At present, the duties of the governor are being carried out by First Deputy Governor Sharifkhon Safarzoda. Whether he will ultimately be appointed to the position remains unclear, as several other figures are also being discussed as potential candidates.
Among the names most often mentioned are:
- Nosir Marodbek Surizoda, chairman of Khatlon’s Khuroson district;
- Aziz Giyozoda, deputy speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower chamber of parliament) and former chairman of Shugnan district;
- Ramzi Mehrikhudozoda, head of the Customs Service’s office in GBAO;
- Nekrouz Khudoyorov, head of the GBAO Road Administration.
Nosir Marodbek Surizoda
Nosir Marodbek Surizoda was born on May 24, 1984, in Shugnan district of GBAO. He graduated from Khorog State University in 2006 with a degree in Oriental Studies and obtained a second degree in Economics from the same university in 2014 through distance learning. He speaks Russian, English, Persian, and Arabic and is married. Surizoda began his career as a schoolteacher in Shugnan district in 2006. He later worked as an accountant for the public organization Suri and as a credit officer for the microcredit organization Rushdi Pomir. Between 2010 and 2013, he served as a chief specialist in the department responsible for religious affairs, traditions, and ceremonies in Shugnan district. From 2013 to 2022, he headed the rural jamoat of Ver. In January 2022, he was appointed deputy mayor of Khorog. Two years later, he became chairman of Khuroson district in Khatlon province.
Aziz Giyozoda
Aziz Giyozoda was born on October 7, 1969, in Shugnan district.He graduated from Khorog State University in 1999 and later from the Russian Presidential Academy of Public Administration in 2011.Most of his professional career has been spent in the financial sector and public administration. Between 1997 and 2006, he held various positions in the Ministry of Finance and financial control agencies in GBAO, eventually becoming head of the regional finance department.From 2006 to 2013, he served as deputy governor of GBAO. He then headed Shugnan district from 2013 until 2020.Since 2020, Giyozoda has been a member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon. Following the parliamentary elections in March 2025, he was re-elected and subsequently chosen as deputy speaker of the lower chamber of parliament.
Sharifkhon Safarzoda
Sharifkhon Nourahmad Safarzoda has served as first deputy governor of GBAO since 2023. Prior to that appointment, he headed Varzob district. He assumed that post in July 2022 and left it in May 2023 after being transferred to his current position. Detailed information about Safarzoda’s education, age, and broader professional career is not publicly available. According to some sources, he is native of the Mastchoh district, Sughd province.
Nekrouz Khudoyorov
Nekrouz Khudoyorov, born in 1989 and a native of GBAO, currently heads the region’s Road Administration. Little public information is available about his career. According to Asia-Plus sources, he is the son of former Transport Minister Khudoyor Khudoyorzoda.
Ramzi Mehrikhudozoda
Ramzi Mehrikhudozoda, born in 1977, is a native of GBAO and currently heads the regional office of the Customs Service. A detailed biography of Mehrikhudozoda is not available in open sources.
Final decision rests with the President
Observers note that names discussed by experts and social media users do not necessarily reflect the eventual choice of the country’s leadership. The appointment of regional governors in Tajikistan is made by the president.
Search for Alisher Mirzonabot continues
Meanwhile, the search operation for Alisher Mirzonabot and the other occupants of the vehicle that plunged into the Panj River remains ongoing.
On the morning of June 17, a vehicle carrying Mirzonabot, his wife, daughter, assistant, and driver veered off the Dushanbe–Khorog highway in GBAO’s Darvoz district and fell into the river.
According to Orif Nozimiyon, head of the press center of Tajikistan’s Committee for Emergency Situations (CES), around 100 rescuers have been involved in the search operation, which has now entered its eighth day.
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