The Federal Government has formally designated 26 districts across six regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “hard areas”, recognising the heightened security challenges and operational risks faced by federal administrative and police officers serving in terrorism-affected areas of the province.
The decision was conveyed to the Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through a letter issued by the Establishment Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Under the decision, eligible federal administrative and police officers posted in the designated districts will receive a Security Risk Allowance equivalent to 250 percent of their basic pay, reflecting the exceptional security conditions in which they are required to perform their duties.
According to the Establishment Division’s letter, the designation covers 26 districts across six regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The designated districts include:
- Peshawar
- Khyber
- Mardan
- Charsadda
- Mohmand
- Nowshera
- Kohat
- Hangu
- Karak
- Kurram
- Orakzai
- Bannu
- Lakki Marwat
- North Waziristan
- Dera Ismail Khan
- Tank
- Upper South Waziristan
- Lower South Waziristan
- Swat
- Buner
- Shangla
- Bajaur
- Upper Dir
- Lower Dir
- Upper Chitral
- Lower Chitral
The inclusion of districts spanning the southern, central, merged tribal and northern parts of the province reflects the broad geographical scope of the security challenges confronting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The federal government has approved a Security Risk Allowance equal to 250 percent of an officer’s basic pay for eligible federal administrative and police officers serving in the designated terrorism-affected districts. The allowance will be effective from 1 July 2026.
The decision recognises the elevated risks faced by officers performing official duties in areas where security threats have created exceptional working conditions. The allowance will be financed by the Federal Government and will be subject to applicable income tax regulations.
The Establishment Division has specified that the Security Risk Allowance will be directly linked to an officer’s posting in the designated hard areas. Accordingly, the allowance will cease immediately upon transfer of an officer from the designated area.
This provision ensures that the financial incentive remains specifically tied to service in locations officially classified as high-risk or hard areas.
The notification also establishes specific conditions under which the allowance will not be payable.
According to the letter, the Security Risk Allowance will not be admissible during periods when an officer is:
- Under suspension
- Posted as Officer on Special Duty (OSD)
- Serving during joining time
- Attending training
The allowance will also not be counted toward pension or gratuity, meaning it will not form part of the benefits calculated for an officer’s retirement package. The federal decision specifically states that officers serving in Swabi district and the Hazara Division will not be eligible for the Security Risk Allowance under the new arrangement. The exclusion establishes a clear distinction between the areas officially classified as hard areas under the current decision and other parts of the province.
The designation represents an important administrative response to the security environment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where government officials and law-enforcement personnel continue to perform essential state functions under challenging circumstances. The affected districts include areas that have experienced varying levels of terrorism-related violence, security operations and threats against government personnel and installations. By linking the allowance specifically to designated hard areas, the federal government has formally recognised the additional risks associated with public service in these locations.
The decision will take effect retrospectively from 1 July 2026, providing eligible officers with the approved Security Risk Allowance from that date, subject to the conditions laid down by the Establishment Division. The measure is expected to provide additional financial compensation to officers serving in some of the province’s most challenging security environments while acknowledging the risks associated with their official responsibilities.
The Federal Government’s decision to designate 26 districts across six regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as hard areas marks a significant administrative recognition of the province’s continuing security challenges. The approval of a 250 percent Security Risk Allowance for eligible federal administrative and police officers underscores the exceptional circumstances under which government personnel are operating in the designated districts.
Effective from 1 July 2026, the allowance will remain tied to an officer’s posting in the designated areas and will cease upon transfer, while specific restrictions will apply during suspension, OSD postings, joining time and training.
The decision reflects the government’s recognition that maintaining effective state administration and law enforcement in high-risk districts requires not only institutional commitment, but also appropriate measures to acknowledge the risks borne by personnel serving on the ground.
