ISLAMABAD: In yet another controversial move, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has partially revised the description of several constituencies of national and provincial assemblies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without inviting any objections required under the law.
A notification issued by the ECP says the move follows administrative changes in revenue units between April 2, 2024 and Jan 27, 2026 and cites Rule 15 of the Election Rules 2017 to justify the move to ‘partially modify’ a notification issued around three years ago, on Nov 30, 2023.
Section 15 of the Election Rules states: “The Commission may re-describe a constituency in case of any change in administrative units; however, in doing so, the limit of the constituency shall remain the same.”
Section 22 (1) of the Elections Act 2017, which deals with the power of commission to make amendment, alteration or modification in the final list of constituencies, reads: “Notwithstanding anything contained in this act, the commission may, at any time but at least four months before notification of the election programme, of its own motion and for reasons to be recorded, make such amendments, alterations or modifications in the final list of constituencies published under sub-section (4) of section 21 or in the areas included in a constituency, as it deems necessary”.
Section 22(2) says the commission shall publish in the official gazette and on its website the proposed amendments, alterations or modifications with their justifications and invite and hear representations in respect thereof before taking final decision thereon.
According to the notification, three Swat seats have been re-aligned after creation of Bar Swat District vide notification dated Jan 27, 2026.
NA-2 now comprises Bahrain tehsil, Khwazakhela tehsil and part of Charbagh. NA-3 covers Mingora/Babuzai area, including six patwar circles of Babuzai as described, Barikot tehsil and selected patwar circles of Kabal tehsil. NA-4 covers Matta tehsil of Bar Swat district and remaining patwar circles of Kabal tehsil of Swat district.
NA-36 Hangu-cum-Orakzai-cum-Karak now comprises re-constituted Hangu district, Orakzai district, and two villages/mouzas — Darshi and Matho Khel — of Patwar Circle Mardan Khel, Qanungo Halqa Banda Daud Shah, Banda Daud Shah tehsil of Karak district. In effect, Darshi and Matho Khel villages have been added to this constituency from Karak.
NA-38 Karak now comprises Karak district re-constituted vide April 2, 2024 notification, excluding the two villages of Darshi and Matho Khel of Banda Daud Shah tehsil, which have been shifted to NA-36.
NA-43 Tank-cum-Dera Ismail Khan-cum-Paharpur now comprises Tank district, Kulachi and Daraband tehsils plus Darazinda Sub-Division, excluding Koh-i-Bahara of Dera Ismail Khan district, and Paniala tehsil and part of Paharpur tehsil of newly created Paharpur district.
NA-44 Dera Ismail Khan-cum-Paharpur now comprises Yarik, Shorkot Qanungo Halqas, Chahkan Qanungo Halqa, excluding Hassani and Shero Khona, Muryali Qanungo Halqa, excluding Muryali, Shero Nau, Mapal, Fatah, Kotla Habib, and Ratta Kulachi Patwar Circle of Dera Ismail Khan tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district, and Band Kurai Qanungo Halqa of Paharpur tehsil of Paharpur district newly created vide notification dated Nov 26, 2025.
NA-45 Dera Ismail Khan now comprises Census Charge No. 5 Dera Ismail Khan MC, Census Charge No. 1 Dera Ismail Khan Cantonment, Dera Ismail Khan Qanungo Halqa, excluding Ratta Kulachi, Muryali Patwar Circle, Parowa tehsil and Fatah Patwar Circle of Muryali, Koh-i-Bahara of Darazinda Sub-Division, Hassani and Shero Khona of Chahkan Qanungo Halqa and Shero Nau, Mapal and Kotla Habib of Muryali Qanungo Halqa. In broad terms, NA-44 has been made Dera city plus cantonment plus Shorkot area plus Band Kurai of Paharpur, while NA-45 covers Parowa, Daraband, Darazinda, Kulachi, Paharpur and Muryali areas as per new district limits.
Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026
