ISLAMABAD: In a sweeping move to tighten federal control over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s administration, the government on Sunday announced an 11-member special advisory council headed by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
The announcement came shortly after the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province, effectively removing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led (PTI) provincial government from power.
The government also decided to set up a dedicated secretariat to oversee administrative affairs in 12 districts facing serious security challenges.
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Speaking at a press conference, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, flanked by other ministers, said the council would oversee key provincial departments, including finance, education, energy, health, law, industries, mines and minerals, information and development.
The move establishes a parallel administrative arrangement under the governor and the chief secretary, with the newly created secretariat tasked with directly overseeing administrative affairs in the 12 designated districts and keeping the federal government abreast of developments on the ground.
According to a federal government notification, Dr Syed Aamir Abdullah has been assigned education, while Tariq Mahmood Pasha will oversee finance, revenue, excise and taxation.
Usman Saifullah Khan has been given the portfolios of energy, power, planning and development.
Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advocate general Aamir Javed will look after law and parliamentary affairs, while Samar Haroon Bilour has been assigned information and broadcasting.
Dr Muhammad Irshad will oversee industries and commerce, and Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi Aauqaf and Religious affairs.
Lt Gen Dr Nigar Johar Khan (retd) has been assigned health, Kifayatullah Khan home and tribal affairs, and Dr Sarfaraz Ali Shah mines and minerals. Asif Rafiq Afridi will oversee communications and works, local government, housing and transport.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026