Web Desk: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has formed an 11-member Special Advisory Council comprising former senior government officials, political figures, legal experts, economists and professionals from the health and development sectors.
The council is expected to advise the governor on major administrative, economic, legal and development matters across the province, while offering recommendations aimed at improving governance and public services.
The council includes two former chairmen of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), a former senator, a former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advocate general, a former inspector general and a retired three-star military officer.
Former caretaker provincial minister Dr Syed Amir Abdullah has been assigned education affairs. He previously served as minister for industries and commerce and worked as a consultant with the United Nations Development Programme.
Former FBR chairman Tariq Mahmood Pasha will oversee finance, revenue, excise and taxation. He has also served as special assistant to the prime minister on revenue and as secretary of economic affairs.
Former senator Usman Saifullah Khan will handle energy, power, planning and development. He has previously served on the board of Pakistan State Oil and headed the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association.
Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advocate general Amir Javed will advise on law and parliamentary affairs. He brings experience in constitutional matters, government legal consultations and litigation before the higher courts.
Former Awami National Party provincial information secretary and spokesperson Samar Haroon Bilour has been assigned information and broadcasting. She has also chaired a standing committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
Former FBR chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad will oversee industries and commerce. He served as FBR chairman in 2017 and has experience in tax administration and institutional reforms.
Meanwhile, Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi, the province’s chief preacher, will look after Auqaf and religious affairs. He is also principal of Jamia Ashrafia Peshawar and a recipient of the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.
Retired Lieutenant General Nigar Johar Khan will oversee health affairs. A former surgeon general of the Pakistan Army, she was the country’s first woman three-star general and has extensive experience in hospital administration, healthcare services and emergency medical management.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johar played a role in strengthening hospital facilities, protective measures and vaccination-related efforts.
Former inspector general of prisons Kifayatullah Khan has been assigned home and tribal affairs. He previously headed the FATA Tribunal and served as commissioner in several divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, giving him experience in provincial administration, tribal affairs and internal governance.
Dr Sarfraz Ali Shah, who holds a doctorate in economics, will oversee mines and minerals. He previously served as an adviser on planning and development as well as communications and works during the tenure of caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan. He is also associated with the UK-based Afford Business Club as a consultant.
Former caretaker provincial minister Asif Rafiq Afridi will handle communications and works, local government, housing and transport. He previously held the agriculture, livestock, food and environment portfolios in the caretaker provincial cabinet.
The Special Advisory Council is expected to provide policy input on major administrative, economic and development issues facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
With expertise spanning finance, energy, minerals, law, industry, home affairs, information, education, healthcare and infrastructure, the council is also expected to recommend reforms and measures to improve public service delivery across the province.
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