Abaseen Division
Proposed division
CountryPakistan
ProvinceKhyber Pakhtunkhwa
CapitalBattagram (proposed)
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)

Abaseen or Abasin Division is a proposed division in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, compromising seven districts: Battagram, Allai, Kolai-Palas, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Shangla, and Torghar. The area is located on both sides of the Indus River, which is known in Pashto and other local languages as Abaseen.

It is declared that either Battagram, the capital of Battagram District, or Besham, a town at the eastern end of Shangla District, will become the headquarters of Abaseen Division.[1]

History

On 18 June 2011, Abaseen Division was announced by then Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haider Khan Hoti during his speech at a public gathering in Battagram, but it was not approved because of the census.[2][3] In December 2021, Abaseen Division was approved by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.[4][5]

Opposition

A grand jirga of the elders of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas in December 2021 opposed the move and warned the government against the split of the current Hazara division, and alternatively proposed a separate Kohistan Division compromising the three districts.[6][7][8][9]

References

  1. ^ "CM to decide location of new Abaseen division HQ". The Express Tribune. 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  2. ^ "اباسین ڈویژن کا قصہ خاموش کیوں؟". Swat News. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  3. ^ "Abaseen division to be approved after population census: Hoti". The Nation. 19 June 2011. Archived from the original on 2017-12-03.
  4. ^ Correspondent, The Newspaper's (2021-12-03). "Abaseen division to be set up in Hazara, announces CM". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  5. ^ "KP CM announces establishment of new administrative 'Abaseen' division". Daily Times. 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  6. ^ Correspondent, A. (2021-12-22). "Kohistanis oppose inclusion of Battagram in proposed Abaseen division". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  7. ^ "Elders say Kohistan districts won't be part of Abaseen division". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  8. ^ Report, Dawn (2021-12-05). "Haripur, Kohistan people oppose new division". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  9. ^ "Inclusion of Battagram into Abaseen division opposed". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
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