The federal government has ordered the immediate establishment of Area Development Secretariats (ADS) in 12 designated districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to improve security, governance and development.
According to the directive, each secretariat will operate under the supervision of an Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC), comprising prominent local figures and headed by a chairperson.
The designated districts are Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, South Waziristan Upper and South Waziristan Lower.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Designated Districts), will head the secretariat and serve as administrator of the designated areas. Provincial officers and personnel from other departments posted in these districts will fall under the secretariat’s administrative and operational control.
The prime minister may order further postings and transfers in these districts on the administrator’s recommendations.
The administrator will exercise provincial government powers relating to administration and law enforcement, oversee district administrations and relevant departments, and establish structures to address governance, security and development needs.
The administrator will also be empowered to issue directions to civil, police and military authorities and make decisions concerning the secretariat’s operations, organisational structure, administration and fund transfers.
The directive calls for closer coordination among federal institutions, the armed forces and provincial departments to strengthen security and law enforcement.
It also allows departmental restructuring and other measures to improve public safety, economic stability, relief operations and essential service delivery.
Orders, notifications and directives issued by the administrator will have the same legal status as those issued by the provincial government.
The directive further provides that specified provisions of Chapter III of Part IV of the Constitution, Article 175(3), and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Rules of Business, 1985, will not apply in the designated districts.
The federal government’s order takes effect immediately.
