Upper Dir District

Upper Dir is an administrative district in the mountainous region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in northern Pakistan, shaped by narrow valleys and steep slopes. The area borders Chitral, Afghanistan, Swat, and the neighboring Lower Dir district.

The district was formed in 1996 following the division of the original Dir District as part of administrative restructuring in the region. This reorganization reflected changes in how local governance was organized across northern Pakistan.

The region is home to Pashtun communities whose language and traditions shape daily life and social customs. Local crafts like weaving and embroidery pass through families and form part of the area's identity.

The district is divided into four administrative divisions, with Dir city serving as the administrative center coordinating local functions. Access depends on mountain roads that offer varying conditions depending on the season.

The area is scattered with many small villages nestled in mountain valleys, some remaining difficult to reach even today. This dispersed settlement pattern reflects how communities adapted to the challenging mountain terrain over time.

Location: Malakand Division

Inception: 1996

Capital city: Dir

Website: http://upperdir.pk

GPS coordinates: 35.20417,71.87222

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:07