Peshawar Division

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has moved to seek financing from the World Bank for irrigation rehabilitation and flood protection projects, as the province looks to strengthen critical infrastructure in areas affected by flooding and improve its preparedness for future natural disasters.
The proposal to obtain the loan was included on the agenda of a provincial cabinet meeting. However, following the postponement of the meeting, the financing plan could not be considered and is now expected to be presented before the cabinet at its next session for formal approval.
According to officials, the proposed World Bank financing would primarily be directed towards strengthening flood protection infrastructure and rehabilitating irrigation systems damaged by flooding across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The planned investment is also aimed at improving the province’s capacity to withstand future floods and reducing the economic, agricultural and infrastructure losses associated with natural disasters.
Flood protection and irrigation infrastructure are particularly important for communities where agriculture and local livelihoods depend heavily on functioning canals, water channels and protective structures. Damage to such infrastructure can disrupt agricultural production while also leaving settlements and farmland more vulnerable to subsequent flooding.
Under the proposed initiative, the provincial government is seeking to combine rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure with longer-term measures designed to improve resilience against future climate and weather-related emergencies.
The move comes as provincial authorities continue to assess infrastructure requirements in areas exposed to flooding and other natural hazards. Strengthening flood defences could also help protect roads, settlements, agricultural land and public infrastructure in vulnerable districts.
The size of the proposed World Bank loan, its financing terms, the specific projects to be covered and the timeline for implementation have yet to be detailed. These matters are expected to become clearer once the provincial cabinet considers and approves the proposal and further financing arrangements move ahead.
Alongside the financing proposal, the cabinet is also expected to consider the creation of a new tehsil named Umarzai in Charsadda district. The proposal has been placed on the agenda for the next cabinet meeting.
Other matters awaiting consideration include proposed amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Counter Terrorism Wing Service Rules, 2026.
The provincial cabinet is also expected to review a proposal related to hosting three events of the South Asian Games in Peshawar and consider approval of the funding required to organise the competitions.
The World Bank financing proposal, however, carries particular significance for the province’s infrastructure and disaster-management strategy, as authorities seek to shift greater attention towards restoring damaged irrigation networks while developing stronger safeguards against recurring floods.
If approved, the proposed financing could provide additional resources for infrastructure rehabilitation and help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pursue longer-term flood resilience measures in some of its most vulnerable areas.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is considering launching an inter district BRT service on the motorway network to connect Peshawar with Mardan, Nowshera and Swat.
According to a provincial government spokesperson, the proposed service is aimed at providing a faster and more convenient public transport option for passengers travelling between Peshawar and other districts.
The Transport Department will conduct a feasibility study to assess the proposal. The study will examine possible routes, locations for BRT stations, the overall cost of the project and other operational requirements.
Transport Department officials believe operating the service through the motorway could be easier than using the GT Road.
Officials said the proposed BRT could benefit thousands of passengers who regularly travel between Peshawar and surrounding districts by providing another public transport option.
The project is currently under consideration and a final decision is expected after completion of the feasibility study.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Auditor General of Pakistan has initiated a special audit into the cancellation of Tony Pak Mining Company’s lease and its subsequent alleged transfer to another company, amid questions over whether legal, regulatory and auction requirements were followed in the process.
The audit has been launched on the directions of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), according to information available on the matter.
A two member audit team has been constituted and has started examining the relevant records of the provincial Minerals and Mineral Development Department.
A key focus of the audit will be the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of Tony Pak Mining Company’s lease despite the company having reportedly invested around Rs500 million in the project.
The auditors will also examine how the lease was subsequently granted or transferred to another company and whether the decisions taken during the process were in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulatory requirements.
The review is expected to determine whether a competitive auction or any other legally required procedure was followed before granting the lease to the second company.
It will also examine whether all necessary approvals, regulatory conditions and procedural requirements were fulfilled during the process.
The special audit will further assess the potential financial implications of the decisions, including whether the matter resulted in any loss to the national exchequer or reduction in government revenues.
Possible effects on employment opportunities and potential foreign exchange earnings linked to the mining project will also form part of the review.
The initiation of the audit places the lease cancellation and subsequent allocation process under formal scrutiny, but the audit itself does not establish wrongdoing. Its findings are expected to determine whether the decisions were taken in accordance with the law and whether any financial or procedural irregularities occurred.
The case is also significant from an investment perspective, as consistency in mining leases, regulatory decisions and protection of committed investment remain important factors in maintaining investor confidence in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
Further action is expected to depend on the findings of the Auditor General’s special audit.