If Malakand Becomes a Province, Who Should Be CM? Locals Speak Out
UPPER DIR: Residents of Upper Dir have welcomed a proposal to turn Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand Division into a separate province, while several political figures have been suggested as potential candidates for chief minister if the new province is created.
During a public survey conducted in Upper Dir, residents expressed support for the proposed province, saying that the creation of smaller provinces could improve governance, strengthen administrative systems and help transfer greater powers to the grassroots level amid the country’s growing population.
One resident said that if Malakand is granted provincial status, Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam, who is also president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, would be the strongest and most suitable candidate for chief minister. The resident cited Muqam’s political experience and services at the national and international levels.
Another resident also supported the proposal, describing Malakand Division as an underdeveloped region that could benefit from a separate provincial structure. Referring to former prime minister Imran Khan’s views regarding the creation of additional provinces, the resident suggested former provincial minister Shakil Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a strong candidate for chief minister.
A third resident backed the creation of a separate province and named Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former provincial minister Inayatullah Khan as the strongest candidate for the top provincial position. The resident praised his political background and public service.
The views were expressed during a local public survey in Upper Dir focusing on residents’ opinions about the proposed creation of a separate Malakand province and possible leadership choices if the proposal moves forward.
The survey reflects growing local discussion over administrative restructuring, development and political representation in the Malakand region. However, the proposal would require the necessary constitutional and political process before any new province could formally be established.
