Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Peshawar: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has intensified its property tax recovery campaign in Peshawar, launching enforcement operations against major defaulters while also holding consultations with industrial stakeholders to address taxation related concerns.
According to official details, targeted recovery actions were carried out against prominent property tax defaulters under the supervision of Excise and Taxation Officer ETO VI Peshawar Aijaz Anwar. During the operation, several units that had failed to clear outstanding dues were sealed, while final notices were issued to banks and other major defaulters for the recovery of pending property taxes.
Officials said the department had already issued repeated notices to defaulters before taking enforcement action. They added that sealing operations were carried out only against units that continued to ignore legal requirements and failed to deposit their dues within the prescribed time.
In a separate operation, another team led by ETO II Peshawar Tauseef Khan, along with Assistant Excise and Taxation Officers Nasir Mehmood Khan and Zar Ali Khan, also conducted recovery actions in different areas. Several non compliant units were sealed during the campaign after they failed to respond to repeated tax recovery notices.
The Excise Department urged property owners and business operators to ensure timely payment of property taxes in order to avoid legal action, sealing of premises and operational disruption. Officials said the recovery drive would continue against defaulters in accordance with the law.
Alongside the enforcement campaign, the department also engaged with the industrial community to resolve taxation issues through consultation. A meeting was held under the supervision of ETO III Peshawar Zahid Iqbal Khan with representatives of industrial associations, including President Ayub Zakori and Senior Vice President Haris Mufti.
During the meeting, industrial representatives raised different concerns related to tax matters and legal formalities. Officials said around 15 cases were resolved on the spot, a step that was welcomed by the participants. Industrial stakeholders expressed satisfaction over the department’s prompt response and cooperative approach.
The department also issued PT 10 challans to facilitate industrialists in completing legal and taxation requirements. Officials said such facilitation measures were aimed at improving compliance while reducing unnecessary delays for taxpayers.

Malakand : [Mansoor Ahmad District Coordinator ReNews Pakistan]
Work is underway on the Tourist Sitting and Viewpoint near Malakand Tunnel as part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s ongoing initiatives to promote tourism in the region.
Deputy Commissioner Malakand Muhammad Fayaz Khan Sherpao visited the project site and conducted a detailed review of the ongoing development work, construction progress and the quality of materials being used.
Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner said such projects are highly important for promoting tourism and providing better facilities to travelers. He directed the relevant departments and contractors to ensure the early completion of the project in accordance with the required standards, adding that no compromise would be made on construction quality.
Muhammad Fayaz Khan Sherpao said the completion of the Tourist Viewpoint would provide tourists, families and travelers passing through Malakand Division with safe and improved facilities for rest, seating and enjoying the natural scenery.
He said the district administration would continue practical measures for improving tourist sites, enhancing public facilities and beautifying the area.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has paid another Rs 677.7 million to the affectees of Harban in Upper Kohistan as compensation for land acquired for the construction of the Diamer Basha Dam Project.
The compensation cheques were distributed among the affected landowners through the Thor-Harban Grand Peace Jirga during a ceremony held at Bushi Das.
The ceremony was attended by General Manager and Project Director Diamer Basha Dam Project Engr. Dr. Nazakat Hussain, Deputy Commissioner Upper Kohistan Aziz Ullah Jan, Deputy Commissioner Diamer Lt Muhammad Awais Abbasi (retd), members of the Thor-Harban Grand Peace Jirga, local elders from Harban and Basha, and senior officials of the district administrations, police and WAPDA.
According to officials, the latest payment is part of WAPDA’s ongoing compensation process for land and property acquired for the multi billion rupee Diamer Basha Dam Project.
The Thor-Harban Grand Peace Jirga had successfully resolved a longstanding boundary dispute in 2022 through negotiations between the tribes of Harban in Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Thor in Diamer district of Gilgit Baltistan. The settlement paved the way for compensation payments to the affected landowners.
So far, WAPDA has disbursed more than Rs4.48 billion to the district administration of Upper Kohistan and over Rs 59.76 billion to the district administration of Diamer for land and property compensation. The total amount disbursed under land acquisition and property compensation for the Diamer Basha Dam Project has now reached Rs 64.24 billion.
Out of the total 35,924 acres of land required for the project, WAPDA has acquired 33,848 acres so far. This includes 32,428 acres in Gilgit Baltistan and 1,420 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Diamer Basha Dam is considered one of Pakistan’s most important water, food and energy security projects. The dam is being constructed by WAPDA on the River Indus and is designed to store 8.1 million acre feet of water.
After completion, the project will generate 4,500 megawatts of clean and affordable electricity. It will also help irrigate an additional 1.2 million acres of land and contribute around 18 billion units of low-cost electricity to the national grid every year.
Officials said the project will play a major role in strengthening Pakistan’s water storage capacity, supporting agriculture and improving the country’s long-term energy security.