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Dera Ismail Khan , Oct 03 (APP):Citizens of Paharpur tehsil have warmly welcomed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet’s approval of the new district of Paharpur, terming it a historic step to fulfill their longstanding demand.
The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, gave approval for splitting the existing Dera Ismail Khan into two districts — Paharpur and Dera Ismail Khan.
Residents of the area said that the creation of the new district would ease administrative burdens and provide people better access to government services, which previously required them to travel long distances to Dera Ismail Khan city. They pointed out that high transportation costs and time constraints had created difficulties, especially for the poor and marginalized.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Paharpur on the creation of their new district. He said the provincial government had fulfilled a decades-old public demand, which would open new avenues of development and prosperity for the region. “The people of Paharpur have waited long for this day. I assure them that their sacrifices and patience will not go in vain, as the government is committed to providing better facilities, transparent governance, and speedy progress in the newly established district,” the Chief Minister said in his congratulatory message.
Talking to APP, Muhammad Saleem, a local shopkeeper in Paharpur, said the decision would directly benefit small traders. “We often had to leave our businesses unattended for an entire day just to resolve minor administrative matters in Dera. Now, these services will be available at our doorstep,” he remarked.
Shazia Bibi, a school teacher, said the new district would particularly help women and students. “Traveling to Dera city was not only costly but also unsafe for many women. Having district offices in Paharpur will save time and make access to education and other facilities easier,” she observed.
Similarly, Tajamul Husain Shah , a farmer from Mian Wadda village, appreciated the provincial government, saying the district status would improve agricultural services. “We faced a lot of delays in getting water management and land record issues resolved. With the district office nearby, these matters will be addressed quickly,” he added.
Abdul Karim, a university student, said the youth of Paharpur had long felt neglected. “Now, with Paharpur recognized as a district, I hope more development projects, colleges, and job opportunities will be launched for our generation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Spokesman to the Chief Minister, Faraz Mughal, said the decision reflected the government’s commitment to decentralization and equitable development.
He noted that Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur had made it clear that no area of the province would be left behind. “The establishment of Paharpur district is part of the provincial government’s broader agenda to bring governance closer to the people and ensure that all regions benefit from public services and infrastructure,” he added.
Adding his views, Syed Kamran Shah, former MPA candidate, said the decision was the outcome of a clear public voice. He recalled that during Chief Minister Gandapur’s recent public meeting in Paharpur, he himself had presented the longstanding demand for district status before the CM.
“Today, the Chief Minister has fulfilled the commitment he made to the people. It is not just an administrative division but a recognition of the sacrifices, struggles, and aspirations of our community,” he remarked, adding that the people of Paharpur would always remember this historic decision.
Makhdoomzada Aftab Haider, MPA from PK-111, while expressing his views on digital media platform extended his heartfelt congratulations to the people of Paharpur on the approval of their new district.
He also thanked the provincial cabinet for recognizing the longstanding demand of the citizens, adding that the creation of Paharpur district would prove to be a milestone for the region’s social and economic progress.
The citizens paid tribute to Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and the provincial cabinet for addressing their decades-old demand, expressing hope that the establishment of Paharpur district would usher in a new era of progress, administrative convenience, and prosperity for the region.