JUI-F KP directs leaders to quit ARDC
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Saturday directed party members appointed to the newly established Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) to resign within three days.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s provincial general council held at Mufti Mahmood Markaz under the chairmanship of JUI-F KP emir Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman.
In a statement, JUI-F KP general secretary Maulana Attaul Haq Darwesh said the party had issued show-cause notices to its members appointed to the ARDC, directing them to quit within three days or face suspension of their party membership. Former lawmaker Shahbuddin Khan of Bajaur had earlier declined to join the council.
JUI-F KP spokesperson Haji Abdul Jalil Jan told Dawn four party members, two each from the merged and settled districts, had been appointed to the council. They are Ihsanullah from Kurram, Izzatullah from Tirah in Khyber district, Abdul Haleem Qasuria from D.I. Khan and Umar Bhittani from Lakki Marwat.
Rejecting ARDC’s formation, the JUI-F council termed the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in KP “undemocratic”. The meeting also rejected attempts to link seminaries with terrorism and urged the governor’s adviser to refrain from making irresponsible and controversial statements.
The federal government established the ARDC on Oct 11, following the imposition of emergency in the province. The council comprises representatives from 12 designated districts and has been tasked with maintaining law and order, safeguarding citizens’ security and overseeing development initiatives.
According to the statement, Senator Attaur Rehman briefed participants on the prevailing political tensions, the party’s role in facilitating reconciliation between the opposition and the ruling party, and the situation arising from the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency.
The meeting also expressed concern over what it described as a social media character-assassination campaign against JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman by paid vloggers. It said the party’s role could not be undermined through what it termed false narratives.
It decided to form a two-member inquiry committee comprising Mufti Ubaidullah and Barrister Imad to look into matters concerning various districts and tehsils.
The meeting was attended by Mufti Ubaidullah, Mufti Fazal Ghafoor, Maulana Abdul Haseeb, Abdul Jalil Jan and others.
Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026
