History of Dera Ismail Khan

Saraiki is the main language spoken in D.I.Khan followed by Pashto. D.I Khan has a mixed population of Pashto and Saraiki speakers. The vast majority of people are conversant in Urdu. English is understood by the educated.

Dera Ismail Khan is represented in the National Assembly of Pakistan through two seats which are NA-24 (D I Khan) and NA-25 (D I Khan cum Tank). The incumbent on these seats are Faisal Karim Kundi of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from NA-24 and Maulana Atta ur Rehman of Jamiat Ullema Islam- Fazal ur Rehman (JUI-F) from NA-25. Traditionally Dera politics has been dominated by Jamiat Ullema Islam because of the charismatic and dynamic personality of Maulana Mufti Mahmood. After his death his son Fazlur Rehman became the Chairman of JUI-F. Maulana Fazl ur Rehman lost last elections to PPP candidate with a wide margin which shows that they have lost connection with voters. Many people have raised concern about the politics of Maulana Fazl ur Rehman after the wiki leaks reports showed his negotiations with US Ambassador Anne Paterson. People raise questions about the financial dealings of Maulana as besides his father's madrassah he does not have any other source of income but lives a luxurious life.

Pakistan Tehrike Insaf (PTI) is fast becoming the third force in D I Khan politics.

This town has seen a bloody surge in sectarian schism, which has caused the loss of hundreds of innocent lives, especially those belonging to the Shia community. Being somewhat neglected by the electronic media coverage, only incidents involving bomb blasts are usually reported, whereas target killings on a day-to-day basis are not usually reported by the local newspapers and TV channels. The main benefit gained from these bombing was Tribal people. Due to series of operations by Pak-Army in Tribal Areas, most of the tribal people left their