Dar-led committee formed to oversee KP affairs

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed an 11-member committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to oversee governance and security matters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of an emergency in the province.

According to a government source, the committee has been established informally, and no official notification regarding its formation has been issued so far. The body is expected to monitor the province’s administrative and security situation on a daily basis and submit reports to the prime minister.

The committee will also maintain close coordination with the new provincial administrative setup and assist the KP Advisory Council in carrying out its responsibilities, particularly on governance and security-related matters.

Besides Dar, the committee includes Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah is also part of the committee. One representative each from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) will complete its 11-member composition.

Earlier, the prime minister established an 11-member KP Advisory Council under Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to manage provincial affairs following the emergency measures.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned sessions of the Senate and the National Assembly for Tuesday at 6pm. The meetings are expected to address the constitutional requirements associated with the proclamation of emergency and the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel said the emergency and governor’s rule could continue for more than six months. He stated that the duration would depend on the security situation in the province.

The latest administrative arrangements come amid heightened political and security tensions in KP. The federal government has maintained that the emergency measures are necessary to address security challenges, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the move and questioned its constitutional and political justification.

The committee’s role will centre on monitoring developments, coordinating with the provincial administration and keeping the prime minister informed about the evolving situation.