Abdun Nabi Sarai was appointed Governor by Timur Shah Durrani, but three years later it was included in the Governorship of Muhammad Khan Sadozai, who transferred his seat of Government to Mankera.

In 1794, Humayun Shah, the rival claimant to the throne of Kabul, was captured near Layyah and brought into the town, where his eyes were gouged out on the command of Zaman Shah.

This administrative status of Layyah was short-lived and the British reduced it to the level of Tehsil headquarters, making it a part of Dera Ismail Khan.

[10] The readiness score of Layyah is 65.13, ranking the district at number 31.

Furthermore, the school infrastructure score of Layyah is 94.38, placing it a national rank of 18.

[10] The score reflects that most schools in Layyah have all basic facilities e.g. electricity, drinking water and functional toilets.

Complaints about quality of teachers and a few basic facilities are also the issues reported in the app.

[12] There are 17 small dams in the district to provide water for irrigation.