Peshawar Division

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a comprehensive digital reform programme aimed at protecting government land, improving transparency in land administration and modernising public revenue services through advanced technology and automated monitoring systems.
The decision was taken during a high level meeting chaired by Provincial Minister for Revenue Tariq Mehmood Aryani, with senior officials from the Revenue Department and other relevant institutions participating in discussions on the future of digital land governance across the province.
A key feature of the reform package is the introduction of a real time digital alert system that will immediately notify relevant revenue officials whenever an encroachment on government land is detected. The system is intended to enable faster administrative action against illegal occupations while ensuring that cases are monitored continuously.
According to officials, the platform will also introduce an accountability mechanism by digitally recording the tenure of officers responsible for areas where encroachments occur. If action is not taken within the prescribed timeframe, the system will automatically flag the responsible officials, creating a transparent record of administrative inaction and strengthening institutional accountability.
The provincial government also approved the digitisation of government land records as part of a broader effort to improve the management, protection and monitoring of state owned properties. Officials believe that digital records will reduce opportunities for manipulation while providing more accurate and accessible information for both government agencies and citizens.
As part of the public service reforms, the meeting decided to digitise the issuance of fard, allowing citizens to obtain land ownership records electronically through the Dastak App and NADRA's e Sahulat service centres. The initiative is expected to simplify access to land records, reduce processing times and minimise the need for physical visits to revenue offices.
The meeting also approved the use of modern geospatial technologies, including Google Earth and Remote Sensing Geographic Information Systems (RS GIS), for official land marking and site verification. The adoption of satellite based mapping technologies is expected to reduce reliance on manual land demarcation procedures and minimise opportunities for interference in the land marking process.
In another significant reform, the government decided to fully digitise all land mutation processes to improve transparency, enhance record accuracy and reduce delays in property transactions. Revenue officials said the digital workflow would help streamline administrative procedures while strengthening public confidence in the provincial land management system.
The meeting further resolved that pending land dispute cases would be addressed within clearly defined timelines, with revenue officials required to resolve outstanding matters more efficiently. The provincial government said the combined reforms reflect its commitment to modernising the revenue administration, safeguarding public land and delivering faster, technology driven services to citizens across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
Kohat Cement Company Limited has rejected reports suggesting that the Peshawar High Court ordered a halt to work on its ongoing 28.5MW coal fired power plant project.
In a clarification submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the company said the court had not issued any order suspending construction or other work on the project.
The disclosure was issued in response to a news report published on July 10, 2026, concerning court proceedings related to the coal fired power plant.
Kohat Cement said work on the 28.5MW project was continuing in accordance with the required approvals of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The company explained that the court had only directed that the plant’s operations should remain subject to EPA approval.
According to Kohat Cement, this is a standard legal requirement under Pakistan’s environmental laws and does not constitute a project specific restriction or an order to stop construction.
The company reaffirmed that the power project would be developed and operated in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standard operating procedures issued by the competent authorities, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency.
Kohat Cement said the disclosure was issued to set the record straight regarding the court proceedings and the current status of the project.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a comprehensive development package worth more than Rs 206 billion for Hazara Division, unveiling 160 development projects under the Khushhal Hazara Programme as part of the Khushhal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Budget 2026 27.
According to official budget documents, the development initiative will be implemented across all districts of Hazara Division and covers nearly 22 key sectors, making it one of the largest regional development programmes introduced by the provincial government in the current fiscal year.
The package includes a wide range of projects focused on improving road infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, irrigation systems, tourism infrastructure, energy projects, urban development, clean drinking water supply, sanitation, and other essential public services. The government believes these investments will significantly improve the quality of life for residents while addressing long-standing infrastructure and service delivery gaps across the region.
Officials said the programme has been designed to stimulate economic activity by creating employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases of the projects. They added that enhanced infrastructure and improved public services are expected to attract private investment, strengthen tourism, facilitate trade, and support sustainable economic growth throughout Hazara Division.
The provincial government stated that the Khushhal Hazara Programme reflects its commitment to ensuring balanced regional development by allocating substantial resources to underdeveloped and strategically important areas. The initiative aims to reduce regional disparities while accelerating socio-economic progress across the division.
Once implemented, the development projects are expected to strengthen connectivity, improve access to quality healthcare and education, expand basic civic amenities, and enhance the overall development landscape of Hazara Division, contributing to the province's broader vision of inclusive and sustainable growth under the 2026 27 budget.