Pakistan federal government takes control of 12 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts

The federal government of Pakistan has decided to place 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) under direct federal control, separating their administrative, financial, and security affairs from the provincial government.

Under a federal directive issued on October 11, a new Area Development Secretariat will be established in Peshawar, occupying 110 rooms in the former FATA Secretariat building. An Additional Chief Secretary will be appointed as Administrator, holding powers similar to a provincial cabinet. This Administrator will be directly accountable to the Prime Minister rather than the provincial government.

The Administrator will possess authority over the transfer and appointment of all government employees within these districts, ranging from Deputy Commissioners and police officers to teachers and clerical staff. Furthermore, the directive specifies that Chapter Three of the Constitution, Article 175, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Rules of Business 1985 will not apply to these districts.

A separate security structure will also be formed, including a Chief Police Officer who will report directly to the Administrator. To facilitate this transition, existing departments such as livestock, health, information, and minerals currently located in the designated secretariat building have been ordered to relocate.