PESHAWAR: The Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) was constituted on Saturday for 12 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts and the notification has been issued in this regard.
Adviser for Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour said the council aimed to restore law and order, ensure the protection of citizens, promote good governance and achieve sustainable development in the districts through local participation.
The adviser, in a statement issued by her office, said 48 elders and prominent personalities from 12 districts had been included in the proposed council to ensure local representation. She said the initiative would help address the problems and needs of the respective areas, incorporate public priorities into policymaking and pave the way for sustainable development and lasting peace.
She said the council would cover Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, South Waziristan Upper and South Waziristan Lower.
48 elders, prominent personalities included, Shaukatullah named chairman
According to the adviser, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor Shaukatullah Khan had been nominated as chairman of the council, while Malik Khan Marjan would serve as vice chairman. The initial tenure of the chairman, vice chairman and members had been set at six months, she added.
From Bajaur, the council includes former governor Shaukatullah Khan, former MNA Shahabuddin Khan, Malik Sultan Zeb and Haji Lali Shah.
Mohmand district is represented by Malik Fayyaz Khan, Malik Nadir Manan and Malik Sahib Khan Ambar, while Malik Abdul Raziq, Malik Izzatullah, Malik Salahuddin, Malik Zahir Shah and Sherin Khan have been nominated from Khyber district.
From Orakzai, Lal Man Shah, Syed Fakhar Abbas and Faizullah have been included in the council. Kurram district will be represented by Muneer Hussain Bangash, Malik Abdul Wali Khan, Malik Zameen Hussain, Syed Wali Syed Mian and Ihsanullah Ihsan.
North Waziristan’s representatives include Malik Khan Marjan, Malik Nasrullah, Mufti Misbahullah Khan, Malik Habib Khan and Malik Haji Sher Muhammad.
The statement said Saleh Shah, Malik Irfanuddin Ahmad Burki, Malik Muhammad Roman Mehsud and Malik Ramtal Khan had been included from South Waziristan Upper. South Waziristan Lower is represented by Malik Allah Uddin Wazir, Malik Jamil Tojikhel, Chief Malik Moinuddin Wazir and Malik Sardar Abbas.
From Bannu, the council includes former MNA Baz Muhammad Khan, Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi, Malik Ihsan Khan and Malik Shereen.
Dera Ismail Khan’s representatives are Abdul Haleem, Sardar Aghaz Khan, Sardar Abad Khan and Qaiser Khan Advocate, while Nawabzada Abdul Wahab, Abdullah Nangial and Irfanullah Kundi have been nominated from Tank.
Lakki Marwat’s representatives include Maulana Muhammad Umar Ashrafi, Malik Idrees Khan, Najeebullah Khan and Rehmatullah, also known as Matti.
The adviser stressed that a coordinated strategy was essential to strengthen law and order, protect citizens, promote good governance and achieve sustainable development in the districts concerned.
She said the inclusion of local elders and prominent personalities would help identify pressing issues, highlight public needs and establish development priorities in consultation with local communities.
Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2026
