- Advertisement -
Dera Ismail Khan , Nov 30 (APP):Citizens of Paharpur tehsil have warmly welcomed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s formal notification establishing District Paharpur, terming it a historic milestone that fulfills their decades-old demand for administrative autonomy.
According to officials, the provincial government on last Wednesday issued the notification for the creation of the new district through the bifurcation of Dera Ismail Khan. The district comprises Tehsil Paharpur and Tehsil Paniyala, which previously functioned as a sub-division of Dera Ismail Khan.
The upgradation was initially approved during the 39th meeting of the provincial cabinet held on October 2, 2025, chaired by then chief minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur. With the issuance of the official notification on November 26, the decision has now come into effect.
Local residents described the new district as a long-awaited relief, saying it would significantly reduce administrative hurdles and bring essential services closer to the population. They noted that people had been compelled to travel long distances to Dera Ismail Khan city for routine matters, causing financial strain and time delays, particularly for low-income families.
Muhammad Farooq, a shopkeeper in Paharpur, while speaking to APP, said the new district would “open doors for local business growth” and improve public access to government departments.
A female school teacher Hina Bibi expressed hope that the decision would “enhance education facilities and speed up approvals for new schools and staff recruitments.”
Saqlain Shah, farmer from Mian Wadda village said the district status would help improve agricultural support services and road connectivity, which small farmers had long struggled with. A university student Wajahat Ali from Paharpur observed that the upgradation would “increase development opportunities for youth,” particularly in higher education and employment.
Meanwhile, Faraz Mughal, spokesman to the former chief minister, said the move demonstrated the government’s commitment to decentralization and balanced development across the province.
Makhdoomzada Aftab Haider, MPA from PK-111, on social media platform congratulated the people of Paharpur, stating that the new district would play a pivotal role in the region’s socio-economic advancement. He expressed gratitude to the provincial cabinet for acknowledging the persistent demand of the area’s residents.
Adding his views, Syed Kamran Shah Zaidi, former MPA candidate, described the decision as the “victory of the people’s voice.” He recalled that he had personally highlighted the demand for district status during the former Chief Minister Gandapur’s public gathering in Paharpur.
Citizens lauded former chief minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and the provincial cabinet for addressing their longstanding demand, expressing confidence that the formation of District Paharpur would usher in a new era of development, improved services, and administrative convenience for the region.