KOHAT, October 28, 2026 : The FATA Loya Jirga has expressed reservations over the exclusion of the former Frontier Regions (FRs) of Kohat and Peshawar from the 48-member Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC), demanding that both areas be given representation in the newly established council.
The concerns were raised at a meeting of the Supreme Council of the FATA Loya Jirga held on Tuesday at Shah Kas in Khyber district, chaired by Jirga President Malik Bismullah Afridi at his hujra. Malik Azam Mehsud, the Jirga’s general secretary, also attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed the composition of the newly established council, the representation of the former tribal areas, the exclusion of FR Kohat and FR Peshawar, and the Jirga’s longstanding demand for the restoration of FATA’s pre-merger constitutional and administrative status.
The development comes amid the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the declaration of an emergency in 12 designated districts, comprising eight tribal districts and four settled districts. Jirga members said the new administrative arrangements had raised concerns among tribal communities, particularly over the representation of the two former Frontier Regions.
Participants said the establishment of the ARDC and Area Development Secretariat (ADS) was relevant to their longstanding struggle against the merger of the former FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and their demand for restoration of its pre-merger status.
However, they expressed reservations over the formation of the 48-member ARDC, alleging that its members had been nominated by the government without consulting the FATA Loya Jirga or other relevant stakeholders at the local level.
Following the imposition of governor’s rule and the declaration of an emergency, the 48-member council was constituted with representation from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, South Waziristan Upper and South Waziristan Lower, as well as four former Frontier Regions: FR Tank, FR Dera Ismail Khan, FR Lakki Marwat and FR Bannu.
However, FR Kohat and FR Peshawar were reportedly not represented on the council, prompting concerns among representatives from Darra Adam Khel and Hassan Khel over what they described as the exclusion of their communities from the decision-making process.
Participants argued that both areas had historically been part of the former tribal administrative system and had played an important role in opposing the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in May 2018. They said the two former Frontier Regions should not be overlooked in a council responsible for addressing issues concerning the tribal districts.
The meeting also highlighted demands for peace, security and the restoration of conditions resembling those that existed before September 11, 2001. Participants stressed the need to protect the rights of local residents, improve law and order and restore the traditional tribal system in line with the Jirga’s stated position.
Speaking after the meeting, FATA Loya Jirga President Malik Bismullah Afridi said a meeting of the Jirga’s Executive Committee would be convened during the current week. Members of the development council representing the tribal districts would also be invited to participate in the discussions.
He said the meeting would review the council’s composition, representation for the former Frontier Regions and the future course of action concerning the constitutional and administrative status of the former FATA.
Reiterating the Jirga’s position, Malik Bismullah Afridi called for the restoration of FATA’s pre-merger constitutional status. Referring to Article 1(3) of the Constitution, he argued that the former tribal areas should be restored as a separate administrative unit alongside Pakistan’s four provinces. He also called for the restoration of the special constitutional arrangements previously associated with Articles 246 and 247.
Malik Akbar Khan, a representative from FR Kohat, also expressed concern over the area’s exclusion from the council, maintaining that its historical association with the former FATA should be recognised in the new administrative arrangements.
Before the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in May 2018, the region comprised seven tribal agencies and six Frontier Regions, all administered directly by the federal government.
The seven former tribal agencies were Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and South Waziristan. The six Frontier Regions were FR Tank, FR Dera Ismail Khan, FR Lakki Marwat, FR Bannu, FR Kohat and FR Peshawar.
Those attending the meeting included Malik Israrullah, Malik Naib, Malik Muhammad Hussain, former MNA Malik Baz Gul, Principal Noor Zaman, Malik Alaf Khan, Malik Azam Mehsud, Malik Najeeb, Malik Tamash, Malik Waris Afridi, Dr Turab Aftab, Malik Younas, Malik Syed Raza, Malik Jafar and Malik Saeed Afridi. Haji Afrasiab Afridi, central president of the Qabailistan Tahafuz Movement, also attended, along with other tribal elders.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants pledged to continue consultations on tribal rights, peace and security, representation and the future administrative arrangements of the former tribal areas.
The Jirga decided that its Executive Committee would determine its position on the prevailing situation and the formation of the ARDC, and formulate a joint strategy at its forthcoming meeting.
The Jirga is expected to meet again in the coming days, with representatives from across the tribal districts to be invited to discuss the issue and decide on the future course of action regarding FR Kohat and FR Peshawar’s representation in the ARDC, as well as proposals concerning the inclusion of additional areas in the former tribal territory.
Participants stressed that the concerns of Darra Adam Khel and Hassan Khel should be addressed and that their communities should have a voice in decisions affecting the future of the former tribal areas.
