Attaullah Tarar announces 11-member advisory council to oversee Khyber Pakhtunkhwa affairs

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday announced an 11-member advisory council

ISLAMABAD, October 11: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday announced an 11-member advisory council to work under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and oversee the province’s affairs following the suspension of its provincial government under a constitutional provision.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said the council comprised experienced professionals and technocrats selected for their expertise, integrity and ability to introduce reforms. He said the appointments reflected merit while ensuring representation from different regions and districts of the province.

The press conference was attended by Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and MNA Samar Haroon Bilour.

Tarar announced that former Inspector General of Prisons Kifayatullah Khan would advise on Home Affairs, while former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Tariq Mehmood Pasha would oversee Finance. Khan has held several administrative positions, including commissioner of Mardan and Dera Ismail Khan. Pasha previously served as secretary of the Economic Affairs Division and joint secretary at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

Advocate Supreme Court Amir Javed, a former KP advocate general, was appointed adviser on Law. Dr Syed Amir Abdullah, who holds a PhD in international relations from the Netherlands and has served as a caretaker provincial minister, will oversee Education.

Pakistan’s first female lieutenant general, retired Lt Gen Nigar Johar Khan, will advise on Health. Dr Sarfaraz Ali Shah, an economics doctorate holder from France and former adviser on planning and development, will handle Mines and Minerals.

Former FBR chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad was assigned Industries and Commerce, while entrepreneur and former caretaker provincial minister Asif Rafiq Afridi will advise on Communication and Works. Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi, chief khateeb of KP and administrator of Jamia Ashrafia, will oversee Religious Affairs.

Former senator Osman Saifullah Khan, who has served on the boards of GIK Institute and Pakistan State Oil, will advise on Energy. MNA Samar Haroon Bilour, a former provincial legislator and standing committee chairperson, will handle Information and Broadcasting.

During the briefing, Tarar strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government, accusing it of failing to maintain security and protect citizens from militant violence. He claimed the federal cabinet had unanimously expressed concern over what he described as an understanding between the provincial administration and militants. These allegations were presented by the minister and were not independently established in the briefing.

Tarar alleged that intelligence reports indicated a deteriorating security situation, with political parties other than PTI facing militant attacks. He questioned why police stations in certain districts had allegedly fallen under militant influence and claimed that arrangements with non-state actors had expanded from southern districts to other parts of the province.

Recounting his visit to Kohat, the minister said injured residents had appealed for protection. He also referred to the sacrifices made by security personnel and civilians, urging PTI leaders to consider the experiences of martyrs’ families.

Tarar further criticised the provincial government’s proposed police reform legislation, alleging it could facilitate the recruitment of militants into the police force. He questioned proposed appointments of deputy superintendents of police outside established competitive recruitment channels.

The minister also raised concerns about governance, healthcare and education, arguing that the province required stronger administration, effective security measures and meaningful institutional reforms.