Peshawar Division

Peshawar: ReNews Pakistan
The governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Balochistan announced a series of fuel-saving measures aimed at reducing energy consumption amid the global fuel crisis triggered by the US–Israel war on Iran. Under the new directives, authorities decided to temporarily close educational institutions and reduce fuel allowances for official vehicles in order to manage fuel resources and limit transportation needs.
The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa approved a two-month Fuel Conservation and Responsible Governance Initiative, under which the fuel allowance for official vehicles will be reduced by 25 per cent. According to an official handout issued after a provincial cabinet meeting, teaching, academic, and administrative activities in educational institutions across the province will remain suspended during the specified period as part of the conservation plan.
Separately, the Balochistan School Education Department issued a notification stating that all public and private educational institutions in the province will remain closed from March 9 to March 23 as a precautionary step in view of the prevailing regional situation. The notification stated that the measure was taken to ensure administrative preparedness in case of any emergency and to facilitate the public amid possible transportation constraints.
However, the department clarified that ongoing school enrollment campaigns, the digital census of schools, and scheduled examinations will continue according to the prescribed schedule. Authorities have directed relevant officers and staff to ensure that these activities are carried out effectively in line with previously issued instructions.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has welcomed the federal government’s decision to engage provinces through consultations on the evolving fuel supply situation, terming the initiative a positive step toward coordinated policy response.
Provincial authorities indicated that if global conditions worsen further, the country could face potential shortages of petrol and diesel. In this regard, the KP government plans to submit formal written proposals to the federal government outlining measures to address possible supply challenges.
Officials emphasized that the provincial government’s priority is to safeguard public welfare and ensure fuel availability across the province. To support this objective, a dedicated monitoring dashboard has been established to track petrol pump operations and fuel stocks.
Through the system, authorities can monitor fuel availability in real time and identify instances of hoarding or supply disruptions, enabling timely intervention. The provincial government stated that the initiative is aimed at ensuring the transparent distribution of fuel and maintaining market stability.
Meanwhile, the KP government has also adopted austerity measures, including a ban on foreign visits and the purchase of new official vehicles, as part of efforts to control administrative expenditures while prioritizing public relief initiatives.

PESHAWAR: ReNews Pakistan
The Peshawar High Court has deemed petitions filed by several Afghan nationals seeking naturalisation certificates from the federal government as premature and non-maintainable. The two-member bench, comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Farah Jamshed, ruled that the court cannot directly entertain such requests unless the statutory departmental remedies have been exhausted.
The petitioners, including Mohammad Jamil and others, stated that most had migrated to Pakistan in 1988, with some families arriving prior to 1980. They argued that they had resided, conducted businesses, and integrated socially and economically in the country for decades. While holding Afghan Citizens Cards (ACC) and Proof of Registration (POR), they claimed eligibility for citizenship under the Naturalisation Act, 1926.
The court clarified that issuing naturalisation certificates falls exclusively within the authority of the federal government and the Director General of Immigration and Passports. The judiciary cannot assume executive functions in this regard. It emphasized that the statutory remedy is both efficacious and exclusive, and court intervention is only warranted if the administrative process proves ineffective, such as a delay exceeding six months.
The bench instructed the petitioners to approach the competent authority in accordance with the procedures outlined under the Naturalisation Act, 1926. The judgment underlined that constitutional jurisdiction should not be invoked when an effective legal mechanism exists, ensuring respect for legislative design and institutional integrity.
The decision reinforces procedural compliance, institutional authority, and legal clarity for long-term residents, while maintaining the balance between individual claims and federal governance. It also highlights the importance of following formal channels to secure residency or citizenship status.
Key Takeaways:
• Petitions for naturalisation certificates were declared premature.
• Statutory procedures under the Naturalisation Act, 1926, must be exhausted.
• Federal government and DG Immigration retain exclusive authority.
•Court intervention is allowed only in cases of administrative inaction or inefficiency.
• Ruling reinforces legal certainty, institutional integrity, and residents’ compliance with official processes.
This development is significant for long-term residents seeking legal regularisation and for maintaining a transparent and accountable governance framework in matters of citizenship and residency.