Who are 11 members of KP’s Advisory Council and what will they do?

The council will assist Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in handling provincial government affairs on behalf of the federal government.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the council includes “competent” individuals, contrasting its members with the PTI-led provincial government. The members have been assigned responsibilities covering security, finance, law, education, energy and other key departments.

The council brings together former government officials, legal experts, academics, a retired senior military officer and political representatives. Its members have been assigned different areas of responsibility to support the governor in managing provincial affairs during the emergency and governor’s rule.

Kifayatullah Khan — Home Department

Khan will oversee home affairs in KP. He previously served as inspector general of prisons, chairman of the Fata Tribunal, secretary of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department and Mardan commissioner.

Tariq Mehmood Pasha — Finance

Pasha will manage the province’s financial affairs. He is a former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman and has also served as secretary of the Economic Affairs Division and special assistant to the prime minister on finance.

Amir Javed — Legal affairs

Supreme Court advocate Amir Javed will advise the governor on legal matters. He previously served as KP advocate general and deputy attorney general for Pakistan.

Syed Amir Abdullah — Education

Abdullah will oversee education-related matters in the province. He is a former caretaker provincial minister, served on the National Counter Terrorism Authority’s expert committee and holds a PhD in international relations.

Lt Gen (retd) Nigar Johar Khan — Health and medical expertise

Johar is a former senior army medical officer and the first woman in the Pakistan Army to achieve three-star rank. She has qualifications in medicine, medical administration and public health and has received several national honours.

Sarfraz Ali Shah — Mines and Minerals

Shah will oversee the Mines and Minerals Department. He holds a PhD in economics and previously served as an adviser to the KP chief minister on planning and development.

Muhammad Irshad — Industries and Commerce

Irshad will handle industries and commerce in the province. He is a former FBR chairman, serves on the Pakistan Red Crescent Society’s management board and holds a PhD in finance.

Asif Rafiq — Communication and Works

The former KP caretaker minister will oversee the Communication and Works Department. His responsibilities will cover matters related to public works and infrastructure.

Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi — Religious affairs

Qureshi will advise the governor on religious matters. He is KP’s chief khateeb, administers Jamia Ashrafia Peshawar and leads prayers at Mahabat Khan Mosque in Peshawar.

Osman Saifullah Khan — Energy

Khan will oversee energy-related affairs in KP. He is a former senator and has served on the Pakistan State Oil board and as chairman of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association in KP.

Samar Haroon Bilour — Information and Broadcasting

Bilour will advise the governor on information and broadcasting. She is a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member of the National Assembly and a former member of the KP Assembly.

The formation of the KP Advisory Council is an important step in the federal government’s plan to manage the province after imposing governor’s rule. Its members have experience in administration, finance, law, education and other fields.

However, the council’s effectiveness will depend on how it handles public services and security challenges. Its role may also face political questions because the elected PTI-led provincial government has been replaced by an arrangement operating under federal authority.

The main issue will be whether the council can maintain government services and address the province’s problems while the political dispute continues. Its decisions and performance will determine how much it can contribute to stability in KP.

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