Peshawar Division

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
Authorities have installed panic buttons at 68 key locations across Peshawar under the Safe City Project, marking an important step toward improving emergency response and strengthening public safety in the provincial capital.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the newly installed panic buttons are equipped with audio and video communication features and are directly linked to the Safe City headquarters. Citizens can use these devices to contact law enforcement authorities immediately in case of an emergency.
Officials said that once a panic button is activated, the system will alert the monitoring centre, allowing police teams to respond without delay. The feature is designed to reduce response time and provide citizens with a direct communication link to emergency services. The initiative is aimed at enhancing safety arrangements in busy public places, especially for students, women, and other vulnerable segments of society. The system would also improve coordination between the public and law enforcement agencies during emergency situations.
The panic button network is part of a wider effort to modernise policing infrastructure in Peshawar through the Safe City Project. The devices have been placed at strategic locations and integrated with a central monitoring system to ensure real-time communication between citizens and police.
Authorities said the system will help provide quicker assistance in emergency situations and support more effective monitoring of public spaces. They added that similar facilities are also planned for other cities in the future, although no specific timeline or operational details have been shared so far.
The initiative reflects the provincial police’s ongoing efforts to adopt technology based solutions for public safety, improve service delivery, and make emergency assistance more accessible to citizens.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has unveiled plans to strengthen the province’s media sector through the establishment of dedicated media colonies, the upgradation of press clubs, and the introduction of an interest free loan scheme for journalists.
The initiative was discussed during a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, where officials reviewed the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2026–27. The meeting focused on a range of development priorities, with special emphasis on empowering media professionals and promoting self employment opportunities within the sector.
According to officials, the proposed loan scheme aims to provide interest-free financial assistance to young journalists, enabling them to set up their own media production and broadcasting platforms. Authorities have been directed to develop a comprehensive and structured framework to ensure transparent and effective implementation of the initiative.
Speaking during the meeting, the chief minister stressed the importance of financial independence for journalists, noting that access to resources would allow them to perform their professional duties with greater autonomy and confidence. He highlighted that the scheme would not only support individual journalists but also contribute to the overall growth and diversification of the media landscape in the province.
“Young journalists must be given the tools and opportunities to become self-reliant and establish their own ventures,” Afridi said, underlining the government’s commitment to fostering a more sustainable and independent media ecosystem.
In addition to the loan programme, the government is also planning to establish media colonies to provide housing and community facilities for journalists. These colonies are expected to improve living standards and create a more supportive environment for media workers.
Furthermore, the chief minister directed officials to prepare detailed proposals for upgrading press clubs, particularly in the merged districts. The move is aimed at enhancing working conditions, providing modern facilities, and strengthening professional infrastructure for journalists operating in these areas.
The meeting also reviewed development proposals across multiple sectors, including Information and Public Relations, Information Technology, Science and Technology, Law, Mines and Minerals, and Labour. Broader discussions were held on employment generation, institutional reforms, and strategies to accelerate provincial development.
The planned initiatives signal the government’s intent to prioritize the welfare of journalists while leveraging the media sector as a driver of economic opportunity and institutional progress in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
Persistent fluctuations in petroleum product prices have plunged ongoing development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into uncertainty, while also placing considerable strain on the financial resources of government departments.
Officials state that frequent changes in petrol and diesel prices have disrupted development planning, putting the timely completion of several projects at risk. Sources indicate that the surge in fuel prices has exerted immense pressure on allocated petroleum budgets across various departments, raising concerns that some institutions may exhaust their funds prematurely.
This situation is particularly challenging for government departments that rely heavily on transportation and field operations for their routine functions. Meanwhile, development projects worth billions of rupees have either slowed down or been temporarily halted as authorities await revised cost assessments.
Experts note that the rising costs of construction materials and transportation have significantly increased overall project expenditures, creating financial challenges for contractors as well as relevant government bodies.
The absence of a clear policy at the government level has further complicated the situation. Repeated increases and decreases in fuel prices have fueled uncertainty, making it increasingly difficult to issue and award new tenders.
According to officials, accurately estimating the cost of any development project under current conditions has become extremely difficult. Several key projects across the province have been temporarily suspended, while many others are progressing at a slower pace.
Overall, the instability in petroleum prices, coupled with escalating material costs, has severely impacted development activities in the province.