Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formally enacted a major new law aimed at protecting the properties of overseas Pakistanis, resolving ownership disputes through special courts and preventing illegal occupation and fraudulent transfers.
The legislation, titled the Overseas Pakistanis Property Act 2026, was introduced in the provincial assembly by Law Minister Aftab Alam. Under the new law, special courts will be established across the province in consultation with the Peshawar High Court to hear and decide cases related to properties owned by overseas Pakistanis.
According to the law, all pending cases involving expatriate-owned properties will be transferred to the newly established special courts for immediate hearing. These courts will be presided over by judges holding the rank of Additional District and Sessions Judge.
The law allows overseas Pakistanis to file applications online and record their statements through video link, removing the need for them to travel to Pakistan for every stage of legal proceedings. The courts will be required to decide cases within 120 days, while appeals must be filed within 15 days of the verdict.
The legislation also seeks to prevent illegal property transfers, facilitate recovery of rent from occupied properties and allow court notices to be served through modern and accessible means, including mobile phones, email and announcements through mosques.
Provincial government representatives said the law is designed to restore the confidence of overseas Pakistanis, protect their investments and provide an effective legal mechanism against land grabbing, illegal occupation and prolonged litigation.
During the same session, the Ehsaas Handcart Protection Bill 2026 was also presented in the assembly. The proposed law aims to regulate the registration of nearly 140,000 handcart vendors across the province and protect them from harassment, bribery and unlawful action.
Under the bill, no action will be allowed against registered handcart vendors without prior notice. Any harassment, illegal proceedings or demand for bribes from registered vendors will be treated as a serious offense. The bill was referred to the relevant standing committee, which has been directed to review it within 15 days.

Peshawar: [ReNews Pakistan]
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has inaugurated Package One of the northern section of the Peshawar Ring Road, marking the completion of a key 2.1 kilometre missing link at a cost of PKR 2 billion.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the Ring Road project is an important part of the government’s broader plan to improve urban mobility, reduce traffic pressure and strengthen infrastructure in Peshawar. He said work on the remaining packages of the project is progressing at a fast pace.
Afridi also announced that the feasibility study for the proposed Outer Ring Road project will be completed soon. He said the new road network would play a major role in supporting future urban expansion and improving connectivity between different parts of the city and surrounding areas.
The chief minister said the provincial government’s PKR 200 billion Peshawar Revitalisation Plan is a comprehensive development programme aimed at modernising the city and providing improved civic facilities to residents. He added that projects worth PKR 171 billion under the plan have already been approved.
Highlighting the government’s performance in the infrastructure sector, Afridi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already delivered major urban transport projects, including the Bus Rapid Transit system in Peshawar. He said the government is now focusing on wider urban development through the revitalisation programme.
The chief minister also rejected allegations of corruption in development schemes.
During his address, Afridi raised concerns over the province’s share in federal fiscal resources. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not receiving its due share under the National Finance Commission Award. According to him, if the NFC formula is revised, the province’s share could increase from 14.6 percent to 19 percent.
Afridi said the Constitution gives the province the first right over its natural resources. He also described Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s surplus electricity generation as an important provincial asset that should be recognised and utilised for the benefit of its people.
Officials informed the ceremony that the total cost of the first phase of the northern section of the Peshawar Ring Road is PKR 9.6 billion. They said work is also underway on additional packages from Warsak Road to Nasir Bagh Road, while tenders for the second and third phases of the project have already been issued.
The completion of the missing link is expected to ease traffic movement, improve access to different parts of Peshawar and support the city’s long-term urban development plans.

Mansehra: [ReNews Pakistan]
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi, on Wednesday inaugurated and performed groundbreaking ceremonies for 12 major development projects worth more than Rs 25 billion during a visit to Mansehra district, marking one of the province’s largest development initiatives for the region.
The comprehensive package is aimed at improving essential public services and accelerating socio-economic development in Mansehra, with a strong focus on clean drinking water, healthcare, education, sports facilities, and civic infrastructure.
Among the flagship initiatives announced was the Rs 18.5 billion Mansehra Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme, expected to significantly improve access to clean drinking water for thousands of residents. Other major projects included the Rs 2 billion Institute of Allied Health Sciences, the Rs 1.8 billion Achhar Nala Dam, and the Rs1 billion upgradation project for Thakra Stadium.
The development package also included the upgradation of Basic Health Unit (BHU) Sandesar, establishment of a Rescue Station at Pano Dheri, inauguration of a Degree College for Boys, and the foundation stone laying ceremony for a modern Cath Lab facility aimed at strengthening healthcare services in the district.
In addition, land allocation for a public graveyard, the establishment of Kotkay Park, improvements to the Mansehra Water Supply Scheme, and the creation of Tehsil Tanawal were also announced as part of the broader development agenda.
Addressing a ceremony in Mansehra, the Chief Minister described the projects as a “gift for the people” and said they would bring visible improvements to daily life while integrating underdeveloped areas into the mainstream of progress.
He reiterated that balanced and inclusive development across all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the provincial government’s top priority, adding that public resources were being utilized transparently and fairly to ensure maximum public benefit.
Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi said the government was committed to reforms in key sectors including health, education, drinking water, and sports, noting that development initiatives were being extended to remote and neglected areas of the province.
He further assured that all projects would be completed in line with merit, transparency, and quality standards to ensure long-term benefits for local communities.