The federal government has issued a notification naming 48 members to the Regional Representative and Development Council in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The members cover 12 districts in the province’s tribal belt and nearby areas. The government said the people were selected through consultations meant to choose individuals accepted by local communities.
Shaukatullah Khan, of the Tarkani tribe in Bajaur district, has been named chairperson of the council. Malik Khan Marjan of the Wazir tribe in North Waziristan has been named vice-chairperson. The appointments follow emergency steps and governor’s rule that took effect in the province on October 11, which shifted executive authority from the provincial government to the governor and created an 11-member advisory council to oversee provincial affairs.
Jirgas and nominations shaped the selection
According to the government’s announcement, jirgas were held in all 12 districts with help from deputy commissioners. Their role was to nominate council members regarded as respected and acceptable to residents.
The Additional Chief Secretary, who also serves as administrator of the Area Development Secretariat, processed the nominations after the jirgas concluded. The list then went to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary, who sent it to the governor after further processing. The governor forwarded the nominations to the federal government, which issued the formal notification.
District-wise representation on the council
The council includes representatives from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, Upper South Waziristan, Lower South Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Lakki Marwat. The announcement gave the following breakdown for several of these districts:
- Bajaur: four representatives, all from the Tarkani tribe
- Mohmand: three representatives, including members of the Khadi Khel Khwazai, Bazai and Utmankhel tribes
- Khyber: five representatives, all from the Afridi tribe
- Kurram: five representatives, including members of the Bangash, Ali Sherzai and Turi tribes
- Orakzai: three representatives, including members of the Ali Khel and Mushti tribes and the Syed community
- North Waziristan: five representatives, including members of the Wazir and Dawar tribes
- Upper South Waziristan: four representatives, including members of the Qureshi Mahsud, Burki and Mahsud tribes
