Pakistan Forms 11-Member Advisory Council to Run Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has announced an 11-member advisory council to manage the affairs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) under the governor’s rule.

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Speaking at a joint press conference with federal ministers, Tarar said the provincial government had ceased to function under the emergency measures. He added that the governor could now run provincial affairs on behalf of the federal government.

The council will work under KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. It will help oversee provincial departments and administrative matters.

Attaullah Tarar Announces Council Members

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the names of the council members and their assigned portfolios. He described the appointed technocrats as highly capable professionals with experience in their respective fields.

The 11-member council includes the following advisers:

Kifayatullah Khan: Home Affairs
Tariq Mahmood Pasha: Finance
Amir Javed: Law
Dr Syed Amir Abdullah: Education
Lieutenant General (Retired) Nigar Johar Khan: Health
Dr Sarfaraz Ali Shah: Mines and Minerals
Dr Muhammad Irshad: Industries and Commerce
Asif Rafiq Afridi: Communication and Works
Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi: Religious Affairs
Usman Saifullah Khan: Energy
Samar Haroon Bilour: Information and Broadcasting

Governor to Oversee Provincial Administration

Under the new arrangement, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi will oversee provincial affairs with support from the advisory council. The federal government says the measure aims to improve administration and address the province’s security challenges.

The government has also established a separate secretariat to manage affairs in 12 districts directly under the federation. Officials say the new structure will support coordination between provincial and federal authorities.

The announcement follows the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP on October 11, 2026. The federal government cited worsening security conditions and increased terrorist incidents as reasons for the decision.