ADS introduces new administrative structure for designated districts
PESHAWAR (APP): The Area Development Secretariat (ADS), Ministers Block, Civil Secretariat Peshawar, has introduced a new administrative and organizational structure for the designated districts, with new portfolios allocated among five secretaries.
According to notifications issued on October 21, 2026, orders have also been issued for the appointment of five secretaries to oversee different sectors under the new arrangement.
The notifications, issued by Additional Chief Secretary for Designated Districts Muhammad Yahya Akhunzada, stated that the administrative measures were taken under the powers conferred through paragraphs 7 (i) and (vi) of Order No. 2/2026, dated October 11, 2026, issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Cabinet Division of the Federal Government.
Under the new administrative setup, various departments and their attached institutions have been placed under five secretaries responsible for Administration and Governance, Education and Social Sector, Finance and Planning Development, Economic Development and Security.
According to the notifications, the Secretary Administration and Governance will oversee Establishment and Administration, Science and Technology and IT, Board of Revenue, Information, Inter-Provincial Coordination and Benevolent Fund.
The Secretary Education and Social Sector will be responsible for Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, Archives and Libraries, Auqaf, Hajj and Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Social Welfare, Health, Local Government and Rural Development, Population Welfare, and Culture, Tourism, Archaeology and Museums.
The Secretary Finance and Planning Development will oversee Finance, Planning and Development, and Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement affairs.
The Secretary Economic Development will look after Communications and Works (C&W), Public Health Engineering, Mines and Minerals, Housing, Industries, Labour, Transport, Agriculture, Irrigation, Environment, Forestry, Wildlife and Climate Change, Energy and Power, Food, and Fisheries and Livestock.
The Secretary Security will deal with Home, Law, and Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control departments. Sports and Youth Affairs have also been placed under the same sector.
In continuation of notifications issued by the Human Resource Management and Administration Department on October 20, 2026, orders have also been issued for the immediate appointment of five officers to various posts in the public interest.
Under notification No. PSO (D.D)/ADS/1-3/2026, Dr Adnan Khan Bapattani (PAS, BS-19) has been appointed Secretary Administration and Governance.
Dr Qasim Ali Khan (PMS, BS-19) has been appointed Secretary Education and Social Sector under notification No. PSO (D.D)/ADS/1-4/2026.
Arifullah Awan (PAS, BS-19) has been appointed Secretary Finance and Planning Development under notification No. PSO (D.D)/ADS/1-2/2026.
Muhammad Abid Khan Wazir (PAS, BS-19) has been appointed Secretary Economic Development under notification No. PSO (D.D)/ADS/1-6/2026.
Under the fifth appointment, Abdullah Nasir Khan (PMS, BS-19) has been appointed Secretary Security through notification No. SO (D.D)/ADS/1-5/2026, with additional charge of Sports and Youth Affairs.
The new administrative arrangement is aimed at streamlining the affairs of the designated districts through a restructured distribution of departmental responsibilities and placement of relevant secretaries under the newly established framework.
