Staff Correspondent
PESHAWAR: The federal government has declared 26 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “hard areas” in view of security risks linked to terrorism and approved a security risk allowance equivalent to 250% of basic pay for eligible administrative and police officers.
According to a letter received by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary from the Establishment Division in Islamabad, the allowance has been approved for federal officers serving in terrorism-affected districts.
The security risk allowance will be equal to 250% of an officer’s basic salary and will be paid by the federal government. Income tax will also be applicable to the allowance.
The allowance will cease immediately when an officer is transferred from an eligible district.
According to the notification, the allowance will take effect from July 1, 2026. However, officers under suspension, posted as officers on special duty (OSD), serving joining time or undergoing training will not be entitled to the allowance.
The security risk allowance will also not be counted toward pension or gratuity benefits.
The 26 districts covered by the decision include Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan, Charsadda, Mohmand and Nowshera.
The list also includes Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Kurram, Orakzai, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan.
Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Upper South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan are also among the designated districts.
Similarly, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Bajaur, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral have been included in the hard-area list.
The decision does not extend the security risk allowance to officers serving in Swabi or the Hazara Division.