Maidan is a valley in the Lower Dir District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The inhabitants of Maidan are Pashtuns. The most numerous tribe living in Maidan is Ismailzai or Samelzai. It is one of the four clans of Tarkani also called Tarkalani tribe. Maidan was not directly under the control of Pakistan government at the time of partition, the valley was governed by a Nawab named "Nawab Shah Jehan". This region was part of the separate state named "Royal State of the Dir" till the 1960s.[citation needed] In 1961, Maidan came directly under the control of the Government of Pakistan. The main bazaar of Maidan Valley is Kumbar. There is a rural health centre situated at Lal Qilla region. Kumbar is the main business center in the valley. The valley passes through high mountains that are covered with snow in the winter season.
Maidan valley
میدان Maidan or Maydan | |
|---|---|
| Maidan sub division | |
 | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Pukhtunkhwa |
| Tehsil | Lal Qilla |
| District | Dir Lower |
| Language | Pashto |
| Religion | Islam |
| Time zone | PST |
Maidan is known for its lush green mountains and springs in the summer season. Kumber, being the main village of the Maidan valley, is a big trade centre comprising many commercial markets. People from various villages of the valley come to Kumbar Bazaar to fulfill their daily needs. Most of the population of the valley go abroad for earning their livings.
Tehsil Maidan has recently been declared a subdivision which comprises on five Union Councils namely Lal Qilla, Kotkay, Bashigram, Zaimdara and Gal. There are two police stations in Maidan, namely Lal Qilla and Zaimdara.
The people of Maidan are highly educated compared to other parts of the district, and most of them have served the district. Zarawar Khan a prominent educationist, born in the village of Manial Maidan Lower Dir, has distinguished himself as a nationally known and reputed educationist in Pakistan. His early academic endeavours and dedication to learning laid a strong foundation for a career dedicated to educational development and reform. Zarawar Khan's extensive career in education includes serving as Head of approximately 15 different secondary, higher secondary, and teacher training colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In these roles, he achieved high student satisfaction and impressive passing ratios, earning a reputation for his effective leadership and commitment to quality education. Khan's exemplary service was further recognized when he served as the District Education Officer (DEO) of Malakand. His strategic initiatives significantly improved the educational standards in the district. He also served as the Director General of the Hira National Education Foundation Pakistan, where he played a crucial role in shaping educational policies and programs at the national level. Khan's most impactful roles was as the Executive District Officer (EDO) Schools and Literacy for Lower Dir. During his tenure, he operationalized 100% of the schools within his jurisdiction, ensuring universal access to education. He focused on building schools in rural areas, ensuring that no child was deprived of educational opportunities. Recognizing the critical need for female education, Khan paid special attention to female schools, many of which were found closed. He hired recognized, trained, and senior teachers to uplift girls' education, significantly improving the educational standards for female students. Khan introduced Union Council Based appointments, an innovative approach that effectively tackled teacher and student absenteeism. This initiative, coupled with his other reforms, resulted in the highest new enrolment rates observed during his tenure. Under his leadership, Lower Dir achieved the highest literacy rates for both males and females in KP province. After retiring from government service, Zarawar Khan continued to serve his community. He was nominated by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the Chairman of the District Zakat Committee in Lower Dir. In this role, he managed the committee with distinction, ensuring fair and effective distribution of resources to those in need. Khan remained deeply committed to female education. He founded the “Khadija Tul Kubra Girls High School” in his village, Manial Maidan, on a zero-profit basis. This institution aims to provide high-quality education to the female community in the region, empowering countless girls to pursue their academic aspirations and significantly contributing to the upliftment of the community. Zarawar Khan's contributions to education have left an indelible mark on his community and the broader educational landscape of Pakistan. His tenure as EDO brought about significant improvements in school operationalization and literacy rates, and his innovative policies addressed long-standing issues in the educational system. His leadership roles at various levels showcased his commitment to educational excellence and social welfare. The establishment of the “Khadija Tul Kubra Girls High School” stands as a testament to his dedication to female education, offering girls in the region the opportunity to excel academically. Zarawar Khan's legacy is one of visionary leadership, profound dedication, and transformative impact in the field of education. His work continues to inspire and benefit future generations, cementing his reputation as a transformative figure in Pakistani education. Mr. Ghulam Nabi worked a lot for education. However, it is regretted to say that there is no government colleges for females in Maidan so far. A man named Malak Rehman Ullah worked for female education and built a private educational institute for girls, the Rayyan Education System. Rayyan Education System offers the valley girls a cheap education from prep to High standard school (college). Students receive higher education in the other districts of the province or in the expensive Degree College Timergara.
Religions, language and peoples
editThe peoples of Maidan are Pashtuns and they speak Pashto language. They are all Sunni Muslims.
Early Maidan
editEarly Maidan was under the Nawab rule. But after 1965, Maidan or Dir became a part of the Islamic Republic of 
Pakistan .
Crops
editPolitics
editThe politics of Maidan Dir lower arise day by date and the people contributed more and more. Four main parties participate in politics: JI, PPP, ANP and PTI. Jumat Islami had won the provisional assembly seat till date except in the 2008 election as they had boycotted the GE. PTI won the election in 2018 and Malak Liaqat Ali became a MPA and Bashir Khan MNA of Madian.