Govt forms advisory council to run K-P affairs, orders ADS in 12 districts to improve law and order

Governor Kundi will perform functions of provincial government on behalf of Centre

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government on Sunday formed an 11-member advisory council to oversee administrative affairs in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and ordered the immediate establishment of an Area Development Secretariat (ADS) in 12 designated districts to improve law and order, public safety, strengthen governance and promote development.

The decision was taken after the federal government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in K-P as President Asif Ali Zardari signed the summary on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following the federal cabinet’s approval of the recommendation.

According to the order, the K-P governor would perform the functions of the provincial government on behalf of the federal government, with assistance from an 11-member advisory council.

خیبرپختونخوا کے لیے 11 رکنی مشاورتی کونسل تشکیل دے دی گئی
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Read: Emergency, governor's rule imposed in K-P after president signs summary on PM Shehbaz's advice

The council comprises Tariq Mahmood Pasha, Dr Aamir Abdullah, retired Lieutenant General Nigar Johar, Samar Bilour, Dr Sarfaraz Ali, Aamir Javed, Dr M Irshad, Kefayatullah, Tayyab Qureshi, Usman Saifullah Khan and Asif Rafiq.

The federal government has also appointed Sanaullah Advocate as the Advocate General of K-P, according to the order.

The order stated that provincial government affairs would be conducted in accordance with the relevant constitutional provisions and the K-P Government Rules of Business, 1985, in a manner consistent with the federal directive.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi chairs a meeting of the newly appointed 11-member advisory council. Advisers include Kifayat Ullah Khan for interior, Tariq Mehmood Pasha for finance, Amir Javed for law and others.@fkkundi #FaisalKarimKundi #KhyberPakhtunkhwa… pic.twitter.com/7oHDmN7Z3b

— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) October 11, 2026

The federal order takes immediate effect.

Govt orders establishment of Area Development Secretariat in designated districts of K-P

In a federal government order issued in a Gazette notification, the federal government notified that the ADS would operate under the supervision of the Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC).

According to the order, the designated districts included Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, Upper South Waziristan, and Lower South Waziristan.

The federal order noted that the ARDC would comprise prominent figures from the designated districts and would be headed by a chairman, further adding that the appointment of the ARDC chairman, vice chairman, spokesperson, and members would be carried out in accordance with the prescribed procedure and tenure.

It added that the ADS would be headed by the additional chief secretary (Designated Districts) of K-P, who would also serve as the administrator for these districts, while stating that the provincial government officers and personnel from other agencies deployed in the designated districts would remain under the administrative and operational control of the ADS.

The federal directive said that the prime minister may, from time to time, order further postings and transfers in the designated districts based on the administrator's recommendations, further noting that the administrator would exercise all “administrative, managerial, and law enforcement powers” of the provincial government within the designated districts.

It further said that the administrator, in the designated districts, would have the authority to establish organisational structures for governance, security, and development, and to oversee the district administration, law enforcement agencies and relevant departments.

According to the federal order, the administrator would also be empowered to issue directives to the civil administration, police, and military authorities, adding that the administrator would be able to issue orders regarding the “operational, organisational, and administrative affairs of the ADS”.

The administrator would also have the authority to “issue orders for the allocation and transfer of funds”.

It added that law enforcement and security matters in the designated districts would be improved through coordination with federal agencies, the armed forces, and provincial institutions, further stating that departments might be restructured, and necessary measures taken, to ensure public safety, economic stability, relief operations, and the provision of essential services.

The federal order underlined that “orders, notifications, directives, and measures” issued by the administrator would hold the same legal status as those issued by the provincial government.

It added that under the federal order, the provisions of the Constitution—specifically Chapter III, Part IV, and Article 175, Clause (3)—as well as the K-P Government Rules of Business 1985, would not apply to the designated districts.

“This Order shall come into force at once,” the notification stated.