Jirgas underway in K-P to select RDC members

Under the new administrative system, a series of jirgas was underway in the tribal districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to select members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and establish local representation.

On Thursday, jirgas and consultative meetings were held with local elders, scholars, and relevant stakeholders in Bajaur, Kurram, Bara, Khyber, Upper Dir, and Lower Dir to discuss the role of the RDC, local representation, public issues, and development needs.

The district administration and relevant authorities provided assistance in establishing an RDC and resolving public issues through consultation with local elders.

Local elders expressed confidence in the new administrative system and pledged to continue cooperating with government institutions, resolving public issues and working together for lasting peace and stability in the region.

Through this initiative, an attempt was being made to provide effective representation to the local population of the tribal districts by linking local traditions and community consultation with the administrative and development process.

Under the new administrative system, local people were to select councils in 12 districts of K-P, including Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, South Waziristan Upper, South Waziristan Lower, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat and Bannu.

In this regard, jirgas were held a day earlier in Mohmand, Bannu and Waziristan with elders, scholars and local elders, during which the new administrative system, local representation in the RDC, the law and order situation and development needs were discussed.

The selection of RDC representatives in the remaining districts was also expected to be completed over the next two days.

Read: State determined to rid K-P of terrorists, says Kundi at first advisory council meeting after governor's rule

Council members were being selected under the jirga system, taking into account the wishes of the local population, tribal traditions, and mutual consultation.

The purpose of selecting council members through the jirga was to provide representation to local elders and effectively convey the problems, needs, and development priorities of the area to the relevant authorities.

The purpose of the RDC was to identify development projects according to local needs, propose solutions to public problems and improve coordination with relevant administrative agencies.

New administrative arrangement

The new administrative arrangements were introduced after the federal government imposed governor’s rule and emergency measures in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on October 11.

Following the president’s approval on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, executive authority was transferred from the provincial government to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The federal government also formed an 11-member advisory council to oversee provincial administrative affairs and ordered the establishment of the RDC in the 12 designated districts.

The government said the measures were intended to improve security, strengthen governance, and accelerate development in areas affected by terrorism. The RDC is intended to provide a channel for local representation within the new arrangement, allowing communities to communicate their concerns and development priorities to the relevant authorities.