Peshawar Division

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has directed all relevant departments to ensure visible progress on the Karak Salt and Gypsum City project within the next three months, describing the initiative as one of the province's most strategically significant industrial development projects.
The directive was issued during a high level meeting held to review development priorities, governance, law and order, and public service delivery across the Kohat Division. The meeting focused on accelerating key infrastructure projects, improving administrative performance and ensuring that development initiatives deliver tangible benefits to local communities.
According to an official statement, the chief minister expressed concern over delays in the implementation of the Karak Salt and Gypsum City project and instructed authorities to remove administrative bottlenecks and speed up execution. He emphasised that the project has the potential to significantly increase provincial revenues, promote industrial investment, add value to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's abundant mineral resources and create substantial employment opportunities for residents of the region.
Afridi said the province must fully utilise its natural resource potential through timely development of industrial zones and value added industries, adding that measurable progress on the Karak project should be visible within the next quarter.
During the meeting, the chief minister also formally launched a new system of divisional performance review meetings following the approval of the provincial budget. He said the initiative is intended to strengthen monitoring of government departments, improve accountability and ensure that development projects are completed on schedule.
He directed all departments to prioritise projects with the greatest public impact and instructed officials to make development schemes that are nearing completion operational without unnecessary delays so that citizens can begin benefiting from public investment.
Reviewing the health sector, Afridi ordered authorities to accelerate implementation of the District Headquarters Hospitals Revamping Programme to improve healthcare infrastructure and service quality across the province. He also directed immediate disciplinary action against staff found absent from duty during inspections at a district hospital in Hangu, reiterating that negligence and absenteeism in public health institutions would not be tolerated.
The chief minister further instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive inventory of major pending public sector development projects across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the list would help the provincial government identify priority schemes, allocate resources more effectively and ensure their timely completion.
The meeting reflects the provincial government's renewed focus on accelerating industrial development, strengthening governance, improving healthcare services and enhancing the overall efficiency of public sector project implementation following the approval of the 2026 27 provincial budget.

Peshawar: [ReNews Pakistan]
Construction work has officially commenced on two major flyover projects worth a combined Rs 5.8 billion in Peshawar, marking another significant milestone under the provincial government's ambitious Rs 200 billion Peshawar Revitalization Plan. The projects are designed to enhance traffic management, improve road safety, and modernize the transportation infrastructure of the provincial capital.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Warsak Road Flyover and the Palosi Flyover, both of which form an integral part of Ring Road Phase II. The government has described the projects as key investments aimed at addressing the city's growing traffic demands while supporting long-term urban development.
The Warsak Road Flyover, the largest flyover project under the Peshawar Revitalization Plan, will extend approximately 800 metres and is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3.2 billion. According to project officials, the flyover is expected to be completed within 180 days and will significantly improve traffic flow along one of the city's busiest transport corridors.
The Palosi Flyover, estimated to cost Rs 2.6 billion, will further strengthen the Ring Road Phase II network by reducing congestion at a major traffic intersection. Officials said the project will improve road safety, facilitate smoother traffic movement, and enhance connectivity between key urban and suburban areas.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said development activities are progressing across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the Peshawar Revitalization Plan represents one of the provincial government's flagship urban infrastructure initiatives. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to transforming Peshawar into a modern, well connected, and sustainable metropolitan city that reflects its importance as the administrative and economic centre of the province.
The Rs 200 billion Peshawar Revitalization Plan comprises a wide range of infrastructure and urban development projects focused on improving mobility, reducing traffic congestion, upgrading public facilities, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Officials believe the completion of the two flyovers will play a crucial role in creating a more efficient and reliable transportation network for the rapidly growing provincial capital.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a major expansion of its Safe City initiative, allocating PKR 5.8 billion in the 2026 27 provincial budget to extend the project to 13 districts as part of a broader strategy to enhance public security, improve surveillance capabilities and strengthen crime prevention across the province.
According to the provincial budget documents, the expansion will introduce modern monitoring, communication and surveillance systems in both settled and newly merged districts, enabling law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to security threats and criminal activity. The initiative is expected to improve coordination among security institutions while increasing the use of technology in policing and public safety operations.
In addition to the district expansion, the government has earmarked PKR 350 million for the establishment of a state-of-the-art command and control centre in Peshawar, which will serve as the operational hub for monitoring and coordinating Safe City operations across the province.
The project will be implemented in phases. Phase One will cover South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Orakzai and Kurram, with a proposed allocation of PKR 1.8 billion. Phase Two will extend the initiative to Khyber, Mohmand and Bajaur, further expanding the province's security monitoring network in strategically important border districts.
The budget also proposes an additional PKR 700 million for the ongoing Peshawar Safe City project, where more than PKR 2 billion has already been invested in surveillance infrastructure and related security systems.
Separate allocations have also been made for other districts. PKR 500 million has been proposed for Safe City projects in Kohat, Mardan and Swat, while Karak and Tank will receive PKR 350 million. An initial allocation of PKR 20 million has been earmarked for launching the project in Mansehra.
Officials believe the expanded Safe City programme will enhance law enforcement capabilities through advanced surveillance technology, integrated communication systems and real-time monitoring, ultimately improving public safety, supporting crime prevention and strengthening the province's overall security infrastructure.