The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally bifurcated Swat district into two separate administrative districts, Swat and Bar Swat, with immediate effect, according to an official notification.
The move follows a provincial cabinet meeting held on December 19, 2025, and has been carried out under Sections 5 and 6 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Land Revenue Act, 1967.
As per the notification:
- Bar Swat district will have its headquarters in Matta.
- Tehsils included: Matta, Bahrain, Khwazakhela
- Swat district will retain its headquarters at Gulkada in Babuzai tehsil.
- Tehsils included: Babuzai, Kabal, Charbagh, Barikot
The government says the split is intended to reduce administrative load and improve day-to-day governance by bringing services closer to residents.
The announcement has triggered mixed responses across the valley.
In Khwazakhela, several residents welcomed the decision, calling it a long-standing demand of upper Swat communities. A local trader, Abdul Wali, said people in upper areas have traditionally had to travel long distances to reach Mingora and Saidu Sharif for routine administrative and legal matters. He believes a new district setup will make offices and services more accessible, saving time and costs.
In Matta, some residents are hopeful the new district headquarters will lead to better governance and employment opportunities. Shahzad Khan, a social activist from Matta, described the development as a major step and expects it to help with quicker handling of public complaints and improved law and order.
However, not everyone is convinced. In Mingora, some residents questioned whether creating a new district will automatically translate into development. Hidayatullah, a local resident, argued that previous administrative separations in the region did not eliminate long-term issues such as population pressure, traffic congestion, and gaps in facilities.
Others voiced concern that the move could create unnecessary divisions within Swat. Saeed Ahmed, another resident, warned that the split might fuel social rifts and said stronger planning and better resource allocation would be more effective than further administrative fragmentation.
Some residents also raised concerns about the potential financial burden of running an additional district administration.
Officials, meanwhile, maintain that the bifurcation will improve service delivery, allow more focused planning, and ease administrative pressure by dividing responsibilities between two district setups.
The notification has been shared with relevant federal and provincial departments to begin implementation.
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A best decision ever taken by government. Some apprehended businessmen think that it will effect them but it won’t. Mingora will be the way it was, don’t worry. But bigger issues like some official work that we have to move for and spending extra money, fuel consumption, time wasting, traffic issues will be no more In Sha Allah.