Govt notifies 48-member Area Representative and Development Council for 12 K-P districts

The federal government on Saturday formally notified the establishment of the 48-member Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) across 12 districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) as the governor consolidated his rule in the province.

The federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule in K-P on October 11 under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, which suspended the PTI-led provincial administration and transferred executive authority to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. On October 15, a joint session of the Parliament adopted two separate resolutions ratifying the presidential proclamations imposing a state of emergency and governor's rule for two months in K-P amid opposition uproar.

Through the first resolution, the joint sitting approved the proclamation of emergency issued by President Asif Ali Zardari under the second proviso to Article 232(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The approval was granted in accordance with Article 232(7) of the Constitution.

The official notification named 48 members drawn from the tribal and adjacent districts, with Shaukatullah Khan of the Tarkani tribe from Bajaur district appointed as chairman and Malik Khan Marjan of the Wazir tribe from North Waziristan named vice chairman.

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According to the government, the move was intended to give local communities a direct role in developmental decision-making as well as ensure closer oversight of regional development projects.

The Area Development Secretariat (ADS) outlined that the entire nomination process had been completed through extensive consultations with local jirgas (assemblies of tribal elders), held with the full cooperation of the respective district administrations.

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The secretariat said deputy commissioners across all 12 districts facilitated the jirgas, during which communities identified “preferred and influential tribal elders” through consensus.

Officials explained that the names emerging from the jirgas underwent careful initial scrutiny and processing by the additional chief secretary and administrator of the ADS. The refined list was then forwarded to the K-P chief secretary, who examined it and forwarded the names to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.

The governor subsequently sent the final list to the federal government for formal approval.

Once the process had been completed, the federal government issued the official notification through the Cabinet Division.

The notified council members represent a broad cross-section of the region’s major tribes.

From Bajaur, the Tarkani tribe was represented by Shaukatullah Khan, Shahabuddin Khan, Malik Sultan Zeb and Haji Lali Shah. Mohmand district was represented by Malik Fayyaz Khan of the Khadikhel Khozi, Malik Nadir Manan of the Bazai and Malik Sahib Khan Amber of the Utman Khel. In Khyber, five Afridi elders — Malik Abdul Razzaq, Malik Izzatullah, Malik Salahuddin, Malik Zahir Shah and Sherin Khan — served on the council.

Kurram’s representation included Munir Hussain Bangash of the Bangash tribe, Malik Abdul Wali Khan of the Ali Sherzai, and Malik Zameen Hussain, Syed Wali Syed Mian and Ehsanullah Ehsan of the Turi tribe.

Furthermore, Orakzai nominated Lal Man Shah of the Ali Khel, Syed Fakhar Abbas of the Syed tribe and Faizullah of the Mashti. North Waziristan was represented by Malik Khan Marjan, Malik Nasrullah and Malik Haji Sher Muhammad of the Wazir tribe, along with Mufti Misbahullah Khan of the Dawar and Malik Habib Khan of the Dawar Darpa Khel. Malik Khan Marjan also discharged the duties of vice chairman.

Read more: Parliament's joint session endorses K-P emergency, governor's rule amid opposition uproar

For the ARDC, Upper South Waziristan nominated Saleh Shah of the Qureshi Mehsud, Malik Irfanuddin Ahmed Burki of the Burki tribe, and Malik Muhammad Roman Mehsud and Malik Ramtal Khan of the Mehsud tribe. South Waziristan Lower was represented by Malik Alauddin Wazir, Malik Jameel Toji Khel and Malik Moinuddin Wazir of the Wazir tribe, together with Malik Sardar Abbas of the Suleman Khel.

Bannu was represented by Baz Muhammad Khan and Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi of the Bannuchi tribe, and Malik Sherin and Malik Ehsan Khan of the Wazir tribe.

Dera Ismail Khan’s members were Abdul Haleem of the Qasuria, Sardar Aghaz Khan of the Gandapur, Sardar Ibad Khan of the Sherani and Qaiser Khan Advocate of the Mian Khel, who represented their respective areas.

From Tank, Nawabzada Abdul Wahab of the Kati Khel, Abdullah Nangial of the Mehsud and Irfanullah Kundi of the Kundi tribe were nominated. Finally, Lakki Marwat was represented by Maulana Umar Ashrafi of the Bettani tribe and Malik Idris Khan, Najeebullah Khan and Rehmatullah, alias Matti, of the Marwat tribe.

The governance strategy

Following the federal cabinet’s approval and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice, President Asif Ali Zardari invoked Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, imposing emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). The move transferred executive authority from the provincial government to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. All these measures were then ratified during the individual as well as joint sessions of the parliament held in mid-October.

The federal government subsequently formed an 11-member advisory council to oversee administrative affairs and ordered the immediate establishment of the ADS in 12 designated districts: Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, Upper South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan. The ADS was set to operate under the supervision of the ARDC, in coordination with federal and provincial authorities, security forces and law enforcement agencies.

Also Read: Explainer: What are the ARDC and ADS, and what are their roles and objectives?

Council members were to be nominated based on population and tribal representation, with appointments to be officially notified by the federal government. The ARDC would elect its chairman and vice chairman, meet every 15 days, and convene whenever required. Its members would also serve on district coordination committees to strengthen cooperation between local representatives and administrative institutions.

The council would also identify development projects based on local needs, public demands and ground realities, submitting recommendations to the federal government.

It will also review law and order, recommend measures to counter terrorism and illegal activities, and propose improvements in governance, public safety and basic services. The arrangement aims to strengthen local representation, improve institutional coordination and ensure more effective delivery of development and security initiatives.