Dera Ismail Khan Division

Dera Ismail Khan: [ReNews Pakistan] Additional Deputy Commissioner Finance and Planning Dera Ismail Khan, Adnan Khan, visited the sites of under construction flyover projects to review the pace and quality of the ongoing development work. He was accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan and officials from the concerned government departments during the inspection. The ADC conducted a detailed review of construction activities and directed the relevant authorities to ensure the timely completion of the projects. He said that all necessary measures should be taken to provide improved traffic infrastructure and facilitate the public at the earliest. Officials from the executing agencies and concerned departments briefed the ADC on the work completed so far, the remaining construction activities and the expected timeline for completion. Administrative and technical challenges affecting the projects were also reviewed during the visit, particularly the relocation of utility services Adnan Khan instructed the concerned departments to resolve all pending matters without delay so that construction work could continue without interruption and the flyover projects could be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Dera Ismail Khan | ReNews Pakistan Dera Ismail Khan International Airport is moving closer to reopening after remaining closed for nearly a decade, as rehabilitation and repair work at the facility enters its final stages. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi visited the airport on Friday to review progress on efforts aimed at restoring flight operations. The airport has been closed since 2015, affecting air connectivity for Dera Ismail Khan and surrounding areas. During the visit, officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority briefed the governor on the status of rehabilitation work, operational preparedness and remaining requirements before commercial flights can resume. The briefing covered repair activity, runway condition, technical arrangements and other measures needed to make the airport functional again. Speaking to reporters, Governor Kundi said runway carpeting had been completed and the remaining work would also be finalized soon. He said the airport could be made ready for operations once essential requirements, including equipment, staffing, safety assessments and audits, are completed. The governor stressed that any shortage of machinery, technical equipment or staff should be addressed on priority so that flight operations can be restored in a safe and organized manner. He said all mandatory safety checks would have to be completed before commercial flights are allowed to resume. Kundi expressed hope that commercial operations at Dera Ismail Khan International Airport would be restored soon. He said discussions would be held with South Air regarding potential flights to Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral, adding that other private airlines would also be encouraged to expand air services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the restoration of flight operations would improve regional connectivity, support business activity and provide better travel facilities to residents of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The reopening of the airport is also expected to benefit nearby districts that depend on Dera Ismail Khan as an important administrative and commercial centre. The governor also shared details of the proposed Green Field International Airport project, which is planned to be developed on more than 1,700 acres. He said the proposed facility would have the capacity to handle more than one million passengers annually. According to Kundi, a site near Yarik in Dera Ismail Khan remains the preferred location for the new airport. He described the location as the most suitable option for the wider region due to its accessibility and future development potential. Separately, the governor announced that work on the dualization of the N 55 Dera Paroa Road would begin soon. He said the tendering process for the road project had already been completed, and construction activity would start in the near future. Officials believe the rehabilitation of the existing airport, along with the proposed new airport and road development plans, could significantly improve transport infrastructure in Dera Ismail Khan and strengthen the region’s long term connectivity.

Dera Ismail Khan : ReNews Pakistan In a major anti encroachment operation, the district administration on Thursday recovered 150 kanals of state land belonging to the Communication and Works (C&W) Department in Mauza Dhap Chabak. Acting on directives of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the district administration launched the operation against land grabbers and successfully retrieved approximately 150 kanals of illegally occupied state land, estimated to be worth around Rs45 million. Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Iftikhar Ahmad led the operation in Tehsil Dera Ismail Khan, supported by the Tehsildar, revenue staff, and officials of the C&W Department. During the action, the authorities also confiscated nearly 120 maunds of wheat found on the occupied land and took it into government custody. Officials described the operation as a significant step toward curbing illegal land occupation in the district and reiterated that anti encroachment drives would continue without discrimination to protect public property.