Islamabad: The federal cabinet has approved the establishment of an Area Representative and Development Council for 12 designated districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a Cabinet Division letter dated October 17.

The letter, addressed to the additional chief secretary and administrator for the designated districts, communicates the cabinet’s approval of proposals concerning the council and directs the official to take further action.

It refers to a summary submitted for the prime minister on October 16 and a subsequent Cabinet Division summary considered on October 17. The communication was signed by Cabinet Division Section Officer Jamil Ahmed.

According to the accompanying briefing, 48 representatives were nominated through consultations among local jirgas across the 12 districts.

The jirgas were convened with the assistance of deputy commissioners to identify locally respected nominees supported by their communities, the briefing said.

The nominations were initially processed by the additional chief secretary and administrator of the Area Development Secretariat. Following consultations, the names were forwarded to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary.

The chief secretary subsequently processed the list and submitted it to the governor.

A formal federal government notification naming the council members is expected following the cabinet’s approval. The Cabinet Division letter communicates the decision on the council’s establishment; it does not contain the membership list.

The development follows the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and comes amid opposition challenges to the province’s new administrative arrangements.

The supplied material does not identify the 12 districts or detail the council’s powers, tenure or financial authority.