Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Standing Committee on Communications and Works has expressed serious concern over slow progress on key development projects, particularly the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-damaged roads and bridges in South Waziristan and Upper Dir. The committee met under the chairmanship of Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani on Wednesday to review the implementation of decisions taken in its previous meeting and assess progress on ongoing development schemes across the province. The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Alam, committee members Muhammad Yamin Khan, Zubair Khan, Arifa Bibi, Asma Alam, Farah Khan and Shahida Waheed, along with the Secretary Communications and Works Department, officials from the Law Department and representatives of the Provincial Assembly Secretariat. During the meeting, the committee reviewed directives issued in its earlier session held on December 21, 2024. Members voiced concern that despite the passage of considerable time, only limited progress had been made on a major development project involving the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected roads and bridges in South Waziristan and Upper Dir. Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani observed that the slow pace of work on such important infrastructure projects was unacceptable, particularly in areas where public mobility and local economic activity remained badly affected due to damaged roads and bridges. Briefing the committee, the Secretary Communications and Works Department said that three inquiries into the project had been completed. He informed the panel that several senior officers had been demoted as a result of the inquiries, while recovery of Rs82 million from various contractors had also been recommended. However, the secretary said that five contractors had obtained a stay order from the High Court against the recovery process, which has remained in effect since August 2023. He added that the department was facing difficulties in pursuing the matter effectively due to a lack of adequate resources for strong legal representation. Taking notice of the situation, the committee chairman directed the department to immediately submit a summary for hiring senior legal counsel. He said effective representation before the High Court was necessary to seek vacation of the stay order so that recovery and accountability proceedings could move forward without further delay. MPA Muhammad Yamin Khan also drew the committee’s attention to the deteriorating condition of roads and bridges in Upper Dir. He said several structures damaged by floods years ago had still not been reconstructed or repaired, causing serious problems for local communities. In response, the chairman ordered the formation of a subcommittee to visit Upper Dir, inspect ongoing and completed development projects, and submit a detailed report to the standing committee. Committee members also raised concern over the poor condition of major roads in Mardan district. The standing committee directed the relevant authorities to take immediate and practical measures for the repair and restoration of these roads in order to reduce public difficulties and improve transport conditions in the area.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formally enacted a major new law aimed at protecting the properties of overseas Pakistanis, resolving ownership disputes through special courts and preventing illegal occupation and fraudulent transfers. The legislation, titled the Overseas Pakistanis Property Act 2026, was introduced in the provincial assembly by Law Minister Aftab Alam. Under the new law, special courts will be established across the province in consultation with the Peshawar High Court to hear and decide cases related to properties owned by overseas Pakistanis. According to the law, all pending cases involving expatriate-owned properties will be transferred to the newly established special courts for immediate hearing. These courts will be presided over by judges holding the rank of Additional District and Sessions Judge. The law allows overseas Pakistanis to file applications online and record their statements through video link, removing the need for them to travel to Pakistan for every stage of legal proceedings. The courts will be required to decide cases within 120 days, while appeals must be filed within 15 days of the verdict. The legislation also seeks to prevent illegal property transfers, facilitate recovery of rent from occupied properties and allow court notices to be served through modern and accessible means, including mobile phones, email and announcements through mosques. Provincial government representatives said the law is designed to restore the confidence of overseas Pakistanis, protect their investments and provide an effective legal mechanism against land grabbing, illegal occupation and prolonged litigation. During the same session, the Ehsaas Handcart Protection Bill 2026 was also presented in the assembly. The proposed law aims to regulate the registration of nearly 140,000 handcart vendors across the province and protect them from harassment, bribery and unlawful action. Under the bill, no action will be allowed against registered handcart vendors without prior notice. Any harassment, illegal proceedings or demand for bribes from registered vendors will be treated as a serious offense. The bill was referred to the relevant standing committee, which has been directed to review it within 15 days.

Peshawar: [ReNews Pakistan] Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has inaugurated Package One of the northern section of the Peshawar Ring Road, marking the completion of a key 2.1 kilometre missing link at a cost of PKR 2 billion. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the Ring Road project is an important part of the government’s broader plan to improve urban mobility, reduce traffic pressure and strengthen infrastructure in Peshawar. He said work on the remaining packages of the project is progressing at a fast pace. Afridi also announced that the feasibility study for the proposed Outer Ring Road project will be completed soon. He said the new road network would play a major role in supporting future urban expansion and improving connectivity between different parts of the city and surrounding areas. The chief minister said the provincial government’s PKR 200 billion Peshawar Revitalisation Plan is a comprehensive development programme aimed at modernising the city and providing improved civic facilities to residents. He added that projects worth PKR 171 billion under the plan have already been approved. Highlighting the government’s performance in the infrastructure sector, Afridi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already delivered major urban transport projects, including the Bus Rapid Transit system in Peshawar. He said the government is now focusing on wider urban development through the revitalisation programme. The chief minister also rejected allegations of corruption in development schemes. During his address, Afridi raised concerns over the province’s share in federal fiscal resources. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not receiving its due share under the National Finance Commission Award. According to him, if the NFC formula is revised, the province’s share could increase from 14.6 percent to 19 percent. Afridi said the Constitution gives the province the first right over its natural resources. He also described Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s surplus electricity generation as an important provincial asset that should be recognised and utilised for the benefit of its people. Officials informed the ceremony that the total cost of the first phase of the northern section of the Peshawar Ring Road is PKR 9.6 billion. They said work is also underway on additional packages from Warsak Road to Nasir Bagh Road, while tenders for the second and third phases of the project have already been issued. The completion of the missing link is expected to ease traffic movement, improve access to different parts of Peshawar and support the city’s long-term urban development plans.