Federal Government Approves 48-Member Regional Representative and Development Council for KP 12 district

Shaukatullah Khan appointed chairman and Malik Khan Marjan named vice chairman

Syed Naveed Hussain

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has formally notified the 48 members of the Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) for the long-neglected 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a consultative process involving local jirgas.

The selection process was conducted through jirgas held in all 12 districts in coordination with deputy commissioners to nominate respected individuals who enjoy the confidence of local communities.

It is pertinent to mention here that 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.

The nominations were processed by the Additional Chief Secretary/Administrator of the Regional Development Secretariat. Following consultations, the names were forwarded to the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who subsequently sent the list to the provincial governor. The governor then forwarded the nominations to the federal government for formal notification.

Chairperson and vice-chairperson appointed

Shaukatullah Khan, a member of the Tarkani tribe from Bajaur district, has been appointed chairman of the council, while Malik Khan Marjan of the Wazir tribe from North Waziristan has been appointed vice chairman.

Bajaur: Four representatives

Under the notified list, Bajaur will have four representatives: Shaukatullah Khan, Shahabuddin Khan, Malik Sultan Zeb and Haji Lali Shah, all belonging to the Tarkani tribe.

Mohmand: Three representatives

Mohmand district will be represented by Malik Fayyaz Khan of the Khadi Khel Khwazai tribe, Malik Nadir Manan of the Bazai tribe and Malik Sahib Khan Ambar of the Utman Khel tribe.

Khyber: Five representatives

The five representatives from Khyber district are Malik Abdul Razzaq, Malik Izzatullah, Malik Salahuddin, Malik Zahir Shah and Shireen Khan, all belonging to the Afridi tribe.

Kurram: Five representatives

Kurram district will have five representatives: Munir Hussain Bangash of the Bangash tribe, Malik Abdul Wali Khan of the Ali Sherzai tribe, and Malik Zameen Hussain, Syed Wali Syed Mian and Ehsanullah Ehsan of the Turi tribe.

Orakzai: Three representatives

Orakzai district will be represented by Lal Man Shah of the Ali Khel tribe, Syed Fakhr Abbas of the Syed tribe and Faizullah of the Mushti tribe.

North Waziristan: Five representatives

North Waziristan's five representatives are Malik Khan Marjan, Malik Nasrullah and Malik Haji Sher Muhammad of the Wazir tribe; Mufti Misbahullah Khan of the Dawar tribe; and Malik Habib Khan of the Dawar/Darpa Khel tribe.

Upper South Waziristan: Four representatives

South Waziristan Upper will have four representatives: Saleh Shah of the Qureshi Mahsud tribe, Malik Irfanuddin Ahmed Barki of the Burki tribe, and Malik Muhammad Roman Mahsud and Malik Ramtal Khan of the Mahsud tribe.

Lower South Waziristan: Four representatives

The four representatives from South Waziristan Lower are Malik Alauddin Wazir, Malik Jamil Toji Khel and Malik Moeenuddin Wazir of the Wazir tribe, and Malik Sardar Abbas of the Suleman Khel tribe.

Bannu: Four representatives

Bannu district's four representatives are Baz Muhammad Khan and Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi of the Bannuchi tribe, and Malik Shireen and Malik Ehsan Khan of the Wazir tribe.

Dera Ismail Khan: Four representatives

Dera Ismail Khan will have four representatives: Abdul Haleem of the Kasoria tribe, Sardar Aghaz Khan of the Gandapur tribe, Sardar Abad Khan of the Sherani tribe and Qaiser Khan Advocate of the Mian Khel tribe.

Tank: Three representatives

Tank district's three representatives are Nawabzada Abdul Wahab of the Kati Khel tribe, Abdullah Nangyal of the Mahsud tribe and Irfanullah Kundi of the Kundi tribe.

Lakki Marwat: Four representatives

Lakki Marwat will have four representatives: Maulana Umar Ashrafi of the Bettani tribe, and Malik Idrees Khan, Najeebullah Khan and Rehmatullah, also known as Mati, of the Marwat tribe.

Council Represents Diverse Tribal Communities

The council is expected to provide a formal platform for local representation, consultation and coordination on development initiatives across the 12 districts.