Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced the bifurcate of Malakand into two separate administrative units during a consultative meeting in Peshawar to prepare the region’s annual development program. The decision, welcomed by local representatives as a long-standing public demand, aims to improve governance and service delivery in the mountainous region spanning 29,872 sq km across nine districts – Swat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Lower Chitral, Upper Chitral, Shangla, Malakand, Bajor and Buner.
The Malakand Division, home to over 8 million people according to 2017 census data, holds significant historical importance as the location of the historic Malakand Pass trade route and the 1895 Malakand Siege. The region, known for its Buddhist heritage sites in Swat Valley, diverse culture featuring Pashto, Kohistani and Khowar languages, and economy based on agriculture and tourism, has faced administrative challenges due to its vast terrain.
Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized that creating smaller administrative units would enhance governance efficiency, directing elected representatives to finalize the division’s details through further consultations. The meeting also reviewed progress on the current development program for the region, which includes popular tourist destinations like Kalam Valley, Mahodand Lake and Chitral’s scenic landscapes. This administrative restructuring marks a significant step in addressing the unique governance needs of this strategically important northern KP region.
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