ISLAMABAD – The federal government has issued an order establishing an 11-member advisory council for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province.
The council, which will work under Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, will handle provincial government affairs on behalf of the federal government with the council’s assistance.
According to the order, the council will support the governor in carrying out government functions in accordance with the relevant constitutional provisions and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Rules of Business, 1985. The order has come into immediate effect.
Council Members and Portfolios
Tariq Mahmood Pasha (Finance)
Dr Syed Amir Abdullah (Education)
Lt Gen (retd) Nigar Johar Khan (Health)
Samar Haroon Bilour (Information and broadcasting)
Dr Sarfraz Ali Shah (Mines and minerals)
Amir Javed (Law)
Dr Muhammad Irshad (Industries and commerce)
Kifayatullah Khan (Home affairs)
Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi (Religious affairs)
Osman Saifullah Khan (Energy and power)
Asif Rafiq Afridi (Communication and works)
The federal government has also appointed Sanaullah Advocate as the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In addition, Muhammad Yahya Akhunzada will serve as the additional chief secretary of the advisory council, according to Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, who announced the council during a press conference in Islamabad.
Tarar described the council members as “shining stars” and said the body would have a separate secretariat that would receive direct funding.
The secretariat will facilitate the council in supporting the governor in the performance of provincial government functions.
Profiles of Advisory Council Members
1. Tariq Mahmood Pasha — Finance
Tariq Mahmood Pasha is a former chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) with a career in Pakistan’s civil service.
His previous assignments include secretary of the Economic Affairs Division and joint secretary at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. He has also worked as a special assistant to the prime minister on finance. On the advisory council, he will oversee financial affairs.
2. Dr Syed Amir Abdullah — Education
Dr Syed Amir Abdullah holds a doctorate in international relations from the Netherlands. He previously served as a caretaker provincial minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was a member of an expert committee at the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). His experience in public administration and policy work will inform his advisory role on education.
3. Lieutenant General (retd) Nigar Johar Khan — Health
Lieutenant General (retd) Nigar Johar Khan is a former senior Pakistan Army medical officer and the first woman in the country’s military to attain three-star general rank. A graduate of Army Medical College, she has postgraduate qualifications in family medicine, medical administration and public health. Her previous service includes command of a military hospital and work in emergency hospital preparedness. She will advise on provincial health matters.
4. Samar Haroon Bilour — Information and Broadcasting
Samar Haroon Bilour is a politician affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a member of the National Assembly. She previously served in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and chaired its standing committee on information and public relations. Her council portfolio covers information and broadcasting.
5. Dr Sarfaraz Ali Shah — Mines and Minerals
Dr Sarfaraz Ali Shah is an economist with a doctorate in economics from France. He has previously served as an adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on planning and development, as well as communications and works. His background in economic policy and provincial development is relevant to his current assignment overseeing mines and minerals.
6. Amir Javed — Law
Amir Javed is a senior lawyer and advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He previously served as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s advocate general, additional attorney general of Pakistan and deputy attorney general. His experience in government litigation and legal administration forms the basis of his appointment to advise the governor on legal matters.
7. Dr Muhammad Irshad — Industries and Commerce
Dr Muhammad Irshad is a former chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue and holds a doctorate in finance. He is also associated with the management board of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. His professional background combines financial administration and institutional management. He has been assigned responsibility for industries and commerce in the province.
8. Kifayatullah Khan — Home and Tribal Affairs
Kifayatullah Khan is a former inspector general of prisons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former chairman of the FATA Tribunal. His previous government assignments include secretary of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department and commissioner of Mardan and Dera Ismail Khan. He will advise on home and tribal affairs, an area involving internal administration and public security.
9. Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi — Religious Affairs
Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi serves as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief khateeb and is associated with Jamia Ashrafia in Peshawar, where he serves as administrator. He is also the prayer leader at the historic Mahabat Khan Mosque. His council portfolio covers religious affairs, including matters relating to religious institutions and administration.
10. Osman Saifullah Khan — Energy
Osman Saifullah Khan is a former senator with experience in business and industry. He has served on the board of management of Pakistan State Oil and has been associated with the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology. He also previously led the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association. His assigned portfolio is energy.
11. Asif Rafiq Afridi — Communication and Works
Asif Rafiq Afridi is an entrepreneur and former caretaker minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His appointment to the advisory council places him in charge of the Communication and Works portfolio, which deals with public infrastructure and related development activities.