Bar-Swat District
Bar-Swat District, with a population of 1.1 million and an area of 3,975 km², is one of the two successor districts created after the bifurcation of the former Swat District and represents the upper Swat Valley. The district comprises three tehsils - Matta, Bahrain, and Khwazakhela - with its headquarters established at Matta to improve administrative accessibility and strengthen public service delivery across the upper valley. With 28 Union/Village Councils, Bar-Swat covers a geographically expansive region with diverse mountainous terrain and serves as an important centre for local administration, tourism, agriculture, and community development. The establishment of the district is expected to enhance governance, improve institutional outreach, and promote more balanced socio-economic development in the upper Swat Valley.
Basic Information
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Matta |
| Area | 3,975 km² |
| Population | 1.1 million |
| Tehsils | 3 - Bahrain, Khwazakhela, Matta |
| Union / Village Councils | 28 |
Source: Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Notification regarding bifurcation of Swat District; official notification establishing District Bar-Swat.
Educational Institutes
| Category | Public (Boys) | Public (Girls) | Estimated Private | Total Est. per Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Schools | 43 | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Middle Schools | 312 | 211 | 140 | 663 |
| High Schools | 46 | 32 | 115 | 193 |
| Higher Secondary Schools | 43 | 26 | 95 | 164 |
| Mosque Schools | 13 | 8 | 30 | 51 |
| Grand Total | 457 | 277 | 380 | 1,114 |
Health Facilities
| Institution | Number |
|---|---|
| THQ & Civil Hospitals | 3 |
| Civil Dispensaries | 18 |
| BHUs | 12 |
| RHCs | 2 |
| MCH, TB, & Leprosy Units | 3 |
| Private Clinics & Doctors | 1,180 |
Police Stations
| Police Station | Contact | District |
|---|---|---|
| PS Bahrain | 0946-780149 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Chuprial | 0946-845110 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Fatehpur | 0946-840072 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Kalakot | 0946-841523 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Kalam | 0346-5600034 | Bar-Swat |
| PS KKS (Khwazakhela) | 0946-744306 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Madyan | 0946-882149 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Malam Jabba | 0345-0598298 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Matta | 0946-792725 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Shah Dehrai | 0946-775155 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Shamozai | 0946-855133 | Bar-Swat |
| PS Utror | 0346-3772520 | Bar-Swat |
Total: 12
Source: Police station jurisdictions aligned with the newly established District Bar-Swat following the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa notification.
Civil Courts
| Tehsil | Civil Courts / Facilities |
|---|---|
| Matta (Main District Hub) | Multiple (District Headquarters) |
| Bahrain | 1 Tehsil-level Court |
| Khwazakhela | 1 Tehsil-level Court (sometimes camp court) |
National Assembly
| Constituency | Member (party) |
|---|---|
| NA-2 Swat-I | MNA Amjad Ali Khan (SIC) |
Source: Election Commission of Pakistan, 2024 General Election. Member photographs are not shown on this page.
Provincial Assembly
- PK-5 Swat-III: Akhtar Khan (SIC)
- PK-6 Swat-IV: Fazal Hakim (SIC)
- PK-7 Swat-V: Amjad Ali (SIC)
- PK-8 Swat-VI: Hamid Ur Rahman (SIC)
- PK-9 Swat-VII: Sultan e Rum (SIC)
- PK-10 Swat-VIII: Muhammad Naeem Khan (SIC)
Priority Issues & Challenges
- Road infrastructure — Mountainous terrain and harsh weather conditions make roads vulnerable to landslides, snowfall, and flood damage, especially in Matta, Bahrain, Khwazakhela, and upper valley areas.
- Water crisis — Despite abundant water resources, remote settlements face challenges in drinking water supply, infrastructure, and water resource management.
- Health — Difficult terrain and scattered settlements limit healthcare access, with many residents relying on larger hospitals outside the district for advanced treatment.
- Unemployment — Tourism, agriculture, and livestock provide economic opportunities, but limited industries and seasonal employment remain key challenges.
- Environmental challenges — Deforestation, climate risks, landslides, floods, and pressure from tourism threaten the district’s natural environment.