Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Mansehra | ReNews Pakistan
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has initiated a large scale operation to remove snow and glaciers from the Mansehra/Naran/Jalkhad (MNJ) Road, signaling the imminent reopening of Naran to tourists after nearly six months of seasonal closure.
Heavy machinery has been deployed at key points along the route to clear accumulated snow and cut through glaciers that blocked access following intense snowfall in November last year. The MNJ Road, a critical link connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit/Baltistan via the scenic Kaghan Valley, was closed at the onset of winter due to harsh weather conditions.
According to Hussain Deen, Chairman of the Kaghan Hoteliers Association, traffic between Naran and other parts of the province is expected to resume within the next few days. However, he noted that full restoration of the entire route could take additional time.
Officials overseeing the operation confirmed that while significant progress has been made, complete reopening of the road may take another four to five weeks, depending on weather conditions and the remaining accumulation of snow.
Meanwhile, local stakeholders have begun returning to Naran to prepare for the upcoming tourist season. Access to major attractions, including Lake Saiful Muluk and surrounding areas, remains restricted due to heavy snow and the risk of landslides.
Residents pointed out that snowfall in upper Kaghan Valley was comparatively lower this year, enabling earlier clearance work up to Naran and nearby areas such as Battakundi.
Security arrangements are also being gradually restored. Police posts in Basal, Plundrain, Soach, Lake Road, Battakundi, and Jalkhad will resume operations in phases as the road is cleared. The police station currently operating in lower Kaghan is expected to shift back to Naran to ensure tourist safety and manage traffic effectively.
Authorities believe that the gradual reopening of the MNJ Road will restore connectivity between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, marking the beginning of the summer tourism season in the Kaghan Valley.

Peshawar: [ReNews Pakistan]
The plea bargain request of the main accused, Muhammad Ayub, in the Kohistan mega financial scandal has been approved. The Director General of NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has forwarded the request to the Chairman NAB for final approval.
According to NAB sources, the accused has offered a 4 kanal 12 marla commercial property located in Rawalpindi under the plea bargain, with an estimated value of around Rs160 million. The request was filed under Section 25(b) of the NAB Ordinance 1999.
Details reveal that Muhammad Ayub was arrested on charges of embezzling billions of rupees in the Kohistan financial scandal. A day earlier, the accused submitted his plea bargain application to the accountability court through the Superintendent of Central Jail Peshawar. The court subsequently forwarded the application to DG NAB Peshawar for further proceedings.
Later, the DG NAB KP reviewed the request and sent it to the Chairman NAB for approval. The final decision will be made after the Chairman NAB grants formal approval.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
Following federal approval, practical steps have been initiated to restore train services in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking an important development toward reviving railway connectivity in the province.
According to sources, Pakistan Railways has formally begun progress on the restoration project and has also informed the provincial government. The initiative aims to reconnect key areas with the railway network and improve the overall transport system.
In the first phase, work will be carried out on the rehabilitation of a 62 kilometer railway track between Peshawar, Nowshera, and Jehangira, which is considered a central component of the proposed network.
The second phase includes the restoration of a 65-kilometer track between Nowshera, Mardan, and Dargai. Additionally, a 27 kilometer railway line between Mardan and Charsadda, and an 18-kilometer line from Peshawar to Jamrud are also part of the project.
Sources further state that in later stages, a 60 kilometer railway section from Kohat to Jand will also be upgraded. Meanwhile, the process of appointing technical experts to represent the Pakistan Railways working group is underway.
Officials say that the restoration of railway services will provide passengers with affordable, safe, and efficient travel facilities, while also boosting commercial activities and increasing the revenue of Pakistan Railways. They added that legal requirements are being fulfilled prior to restoration, and operations to remove encroachments in relevant areas have also begun to ensure the smooth completion of the project.