ISLAMABAD, October 11, 2026: The federal government has ordered the immediate establishment of an Area Development Secretariat (ADS) for 12 designated districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, giving the new administrative setup responsibility for governance, security, public protection and development in the areas.
The designated districts include Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, Upper South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan.
Under the federal order, the Area Development Secretariat will operate under the supervision of an Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) comprising respected representatives from the designated districts.
The council will be headed by a chairman, while a vice chairman, spokesperson and members will be appointed under the prescribed procedure and for specified terms.
Additional Chief Secretary to Head New Secretariat
The Area Development Secretariat will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the designated districts, who will also serve as administrator of the 12 districts.
Provincial government officers and personnel of other institutions posted in these districts will come under the administrative and operational control of the new secretariat.
The prime minister will also be able to order further postings and transfers in the designated districts from time to time on the recommendation of the administrator.
Administrator Given Wide Administrative Powers
Under the order, the administrator will exercise provincial administrative, executive and law-enforcement powers in the designated districts.
The administrator will be authorised to establish organisational structures for governance, security and development and supervise district administrations, law-enforcement agencies and relevant government departments.
The administrator will also be empowered to issue directions to the civil administration, police and military authorities and issue orders concerning the operational, organisational and administrative affairs of the Area Development Secretariat.
The order also authorises the administrator to approve the allocation and transfer of funds for the designated districts.
Security and Public Services to Be Coordinated
The new arrangement provides for coordination among federal institutions, the armed forces and provincial authorities to strengthen law enforcement and security in the designated districts.
Government departments may also be reorganised and other measures taken for public safety, economic stability, relief activities and the delivery of essential services.
Orders, notifications, directions and other measures issued by the administrator will carry the same legal status as orders issued by the provincial government, according to the federal order.
Special Legal Framework for Designated Districts
The federal order also provides that specified constitutional provisions relating to Chapter III of Part IV and Article 175(3), as well as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Rules of Business, 1985, will not apply in the designated districts under the new arrangement.
The federal order takes effect immediately.
Separate reports emerging on Sunday had indicated that a special administrative and development structure was being prepared for the same 12 districts, with an additional chief secretary expected to oversee the arrangement.