Shahabuddin Khan Declines Membership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ARDC

BAJAUR: Shahabuddin Khan, a former lawmaker and influential political figure from Bajaur district, has publicly declined to join the newly proposed 48-member Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has recently been declared in a state of emergency.

In a statement shared on social media, Khan, who serves as the senior vice-president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed gratitude for the suggestion of his name for the council but firmly stated, “I don’t want to be a member of the proposed council.” His name was included in the four-member list representing Bajaur, which was circulated through various media outlets on Saturday night.

Khan, who has served two terms as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Bajaur, did not provide specific reasons for his refusal. The ARDC is set to be led by former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor Eng Shaukatullah Khan, also from Bajaur, raising questions about the council’s potential impact on local governance and development initiatives in the region.

The formation of the ARDC comes at a critical time for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the province grapples with various socio-economic challenges. The council’s establishment aims to enhance local representation and address pressing developmental issues, but Khan’s withdrawal may signal dissent or concerns regarding its efficacy and governance structure.