PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has issued an official notification transferring the administrative control of 33 departments, directorates and key institutions in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to the Area Development Secretariat (ADS).
The decision has been taken in light of federal government directives and the relevant constitutional provisions, including Article 232(2)(c) of the Constitution of Pakistan.
According to an order issued by the Human Resource Management Department, the transfer was approved by the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Under the new arrangement, the institutions will operate under the Area Development Secretariat, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary/Administrator of the designated districts.
33 Departments and Institutions Brought Under ADS
According to the notification, all directorates transferred to provincial departments between October 2018 and March 2019 will now report directly to the secretaries of the Area Development Secretariat instead of their respective administrative departments.
The transfer covers 33 departments and institutions, including education, health, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forests, works and services, public health engineering, irrigation and hydel power, minerals, local government, and the Planning and Development Department.
The move is aimed at placing these institutions under a unified administrative structure for the designated districts of the former FATA.
Functions, Assets and Budgets Also Transferred
The notification states that the administrative transfer includes the functions, official records, assets, equipment, budgets and other resources associated with the institutions concerned.
The relevant departments will therefore operate under the new administrative arrangement, with their functions and resources brought within the Area Development Secretariat’s control.
Employees’ Service Rights to Remain Protected
The order clarifies that the administrative changes will not adversely affect the service status, seniority, pension entitlements or other service benefits of the employees concerned.
Employees will continue performing their duties under the revised arrangement, while their existing service rights will remain protected.
Finance Department to Finalise Arrangements
The Finance Department will coordinate with the relevant authorities to finalise budget allocations and other financial and administrative arrangements required to implement the decision.
The government has directed the necessary arrangements to ensure that the transfer does not disrupt the delivery of public services in the designated districts.
The notification formalises a significant administrative restructuring of institutions in the former FATA, placing 33 departments and directorates under the Area Development Secretariat.
