Peshawar Division

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.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
A major inter-provincial highway linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab remained closed on Wednesday after a suicide attack targeted a security checkpost near the Dera Darya Khan bridge in Bhakkar. The closure disrupted travel and commercial movement across the provincial border.
The highway, a critical route for passengers, agricultural produce, and commercial goods, is a key artery for inter-provincial trade and daily mobility. Its closure has created logistical challenges, with vehicles stranded and supply chains temporarily interrupted.
Transport sources reported delays in freight movement and increased travel times due to diversions, impacting operational efficiency and costs. Analysts note that such highways are essential for sustaining trade flows, economic coordination, and timely delivery of goods between provinces.
Authorities are reviewing the security situation and are expected to implement measures to reopen the highway as soon as possible, ensuring safe and uninterrupted inter-provincial connectivity and resumption of trade and commuter movement.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing comprehensive and sustainable measures to improve environmental conditions and increase forest cover across the province. The initiative is part of broader efforts to protect land resources, enhance ecological resilience, and support balanced urban expansion.
According to official statements, the provincial administration is focusing on expanding afforestation activities, protecting existing forest areas, and introducing structured green zones within urban and peri-urban regions. These measures are intended to stabilise land surfaces, reduce soil degradation, and improve environmental quality in rapidly developing districts.
Officials emphasised that increasing forest cover plays a critical role in protecting land from erosion, regulating surface temperatures, and supporting sustainable land use planning. The integration of green belts and plantation zones within city limits is also expected to improve environmental conditions in residential and commercial areas, while strengthening long-term land value and infrastructure sustainability.
The provincial government further noted that environmental protection is being aligned with development planning to ensure that land utilisation, infrastructure expansion, and urban growth remain environmentally responsible. These efforts are aimed at maintaining ecological balance while supporting organised and sustainable expansion of urban settlements across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.