Peshawar Division

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has formally divided Swat District into two separate administrative districts, issuing an official notification to implement the change immediately. This decision follows approval at the provincial cabinet meeting held on 19 December 2025. Under the reorganisation, the existing Swat District has been split into District Bar Swat and a redefined District Swat. Bar Swat District will include the tehsils of Matta, Bahrain, and Khwazakhela, with its district headquarters established in Matta. Meanwhile, the newly defined Swat District will comprise the tehsils of Babozai, Kabal, Charbagh, and Barikot, with Gulkada in Babuzai Tehsil designated as its headquarters. Officials state that the division is intended to bring administrative services closer to residents, enhance the delivery of public services, and allow for more efficient planning and implementation of development projects. With this administrative change, the total number of districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has increased to 40. Authorities have distributed copies of the notification to relevant provincial and federal departments to ensure the smooth implementation of the new district structures by all government offices, including revenue, police, judicial, and election bodies.

District Khyber formerly Khyber Agency | ReNews Pakistan
Thousands of families displaced from high risk areas of the Tirah Valley remain in limbo as delays continue in land exchange and relocation to designated residential sites. Several areas have yet to be formally cleared or vacated, forcing families to rely on temporary shelter while awaiting transport arrangements. Displaced residents say the Tehsildar of Bara, Daud Afridi, is responsible for issuing transport tokens intended to facilitate movement out of the area. However, poor record management and administrative shortcomings have slowed the process, leaving many families without authorised transport. According to affected families, transport tokens may be issued either collectively or in stages, but procedural obstacles and administrative bottlenecks have turned relocation into a prolonged and uncertain ordeal. The provincial government has emphasised the need for transparent procedures, accurate documentation, and effective oversight to ensure the relocation process is conducted fairly and efficiently. Despite ongoing official efforts, delays in land clearance and population movement persist, while pressure continues to mount on authorities to accelerate logistical and relief operations.
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The unfolding situation in Tirah reflects a structured but deeply painful forced displacement driven by security considerations. Increased activity by proscribed militant groups, particularly the TTP, in the Tirah Valley of District Khyber prompted security forces to launch a large scale military operation. In late December 2025, a written jirga agreement between tribal elders and the local administration required residents to vacate the area between 10 January and 25 January 2026. Officials argue that militants exploit densely populated areas and civilian homes as cover, making it necessary to clear the region of civilians to enable decisive action. Within this framework, land exchange and residential relocation were introduced to provide affected tribes with temporary or permanent housing in safer areas, while allowing security forces to establish control over strategically sensitive locations. The administration is also registering land and homes to ensure compensation of up to three million rupees or alternative accommodation for properties damaged during the operation. Yet the human cost has become increasingly visible. Thousands of families, including women and children, have been left exposed to severe cold and snowfall. The transport token system has been marred by mismanagement, and despite government pledges of cash assistance and monthly stipends, delays in registration have prevented relief from reaching many of those displaced. While the displacement may be designed to meet security objectives, administrative failures have left ordinary citizens facing prolonged hardship and loss of dignity.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan Government safety audits conducted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Building Control Authority and the KP Fire Services Department have revealed widespread non compliance with building safety regulations across Peshawar and other major urban centres in the province. According to official assessments carried out over recent weeks, as many as 94 percent of inspected multi storey buildings, plazas, and commercial structures were found to lack essential fire safety and emergency protection measures. These included the absence or malfunctioning of fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire hydrants, emergency exits, and documented evacuation plans. Officials from the Building Control Authority described the findings as deeply alarming, noting that many buildings had been constructed or occupied without meeting mandatory safety requirements under provincial building regulations. In several cases, systems intended to detect or suppress fires, support evacuation, or provide safe emergency access were either missing altogether, poorly maintained, or installed below minimum standards. Inspectors also identified additional deficiencies, including the lack of visible safety signage, inaccessible or obstructed stairwells, and the absence of routine inspection and maintenance records. In response to the audit results, the KP Fire Services Department has been instructed to intensify inspections of high risk properties, including educational institutions, shopping centres, high rise residential buildings, office towers, and other public access facilities. Fire Services officials said notices would be issued to owners and managers requiring immediate corrective measures, including the installation of fire detection systems, proper maintenance of firefighting equipment, and the provision of clear and unobstructed emergency exits. The provincial government has further directed that legal action be taken against property owners and developers who fail to comply within prescribed timelines. Show cause notices will be issued under existing building control and fire safety laws, with penalties ranging from fines to closure orders and other enforcement measures in cases of continued non compliance. Authorities stressed that fire safety and emergency preparedness are preventive obligations designed to protect human life and reduce property damage during incidents such as fires, earthquakes, or other emergencies. Officials said the findings point to a broader pattern in which rapid urban development has outpaced effective enforcement of safety standards. The KP Fire Services Department noted that many building owners and occupants were either unaware of mandatory compliance requirements or had delayed safety upgrades due to cost considerations. In response, the provincial administration has called for targeted awareness campaigns to inform owners, tenants, and residents of their legal responsibilities and the critical importance of functional safety systems. Follow up inspections have been scheduled, and deadlines have been set for required improvements. Property owners have been advised to engage qualified engineers and safety professionals to conduct comprehensive audits and bring buildings into compliance with provincial codes. Provincial authorities reiterated that enforcement of building safety regulations remains a priority and warned that continued negligence would invite strict penalties under the law. The government said monitoring would continue across Peshawar and other urban centres to safeguard public safety and strengthen regulatory oversight.