Peshawar Division

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
Significant progress has been reported in the ongoing operation against the illegal occupation of valuable land belonging to the Auqaf Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a total of 3,012 kanals and 18 marlas of property has been recovered in the districts of Mardan and Malakand with the supervision and assistance of the National Accountability Bureau Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to officials, the recovered land has an estimated value of Rs 1.429 billion. However, it has also emerged that nearly 36,000 kanals of Auqaf land across the province remain under illegal occupation at various locations.
Sources said the retrieved land has been handed over to the Auqaf Department, while the process of identifying, demarcating and verifying the record of the remaining encroached properties has been accelerated. Legal proceedings are also being initiated against those involved in the illegal occupation.
The district administrations, Auqaf Department, revenue authorities and law enforcement agencies are jointly planning further operations to bring properties dedicated to religious, charitable and public welfare purposes back under government control.
Officials said Auqaf properties include land associated with mosques, shrines, graveyards, religious institutions, charitable organisations and other public welfare facilities. They added that the removal of illegal encroachments from such properties remains a priority for the provincial authorities.
To prevent the reoccupation of recovered land, the government is also strengthening the verification of property records, physical surveys, digital mapping and scrutiny of legal documents. These measures are aimed at improving transparency and ensuring the long-term protection of Auqaf assets.
NAB and other relevant institutions have maintained that inter-agency coordination is being strengthened to expedite the recovery of state-owned land. Similar coordinated operations and joint task forces have also been established in Punjab and other provinces in recent months to retrieve public property from illegal occupants.
Authorities are expected to intensify such operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as part of a broader effort to safeguard public assets and improve land administration.
Official sources said the next phase would involve the gradual recovery of the remaining encroached Auqaf land, legal action against those responsible and the introduction of stronger mechanisms for transparent property management.
The measures are intended to protect public assets, prevent future encroachments and ensure that land reserved for religious and welfare purposes is used in accordance with its designated objectives.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved 17 tourism road development projects worth approximately PKR 5 billion to improve access to some of the province's most popular tourist destinations. The initiative includes the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of 91.5 kilometres of roads aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure and supporting regional economic development.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Tourism Malik Adeel Iqbal said the projects had been approved by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi as part of the provincial government's broader strategy to position tourism as a key contributor to economic growth, employment generation and sustainable development.
According to officials, the approved schemes will focus on improving road connectivity in major tourism hubs, including Upper Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir and Lower Dir. These districts attract thousands of domestic and international visitors every year because of their scenic valleys, mountain landscapes, cultural heritage and adventure tourism opportunities.
The government believes that better road infrastructure will significantly improve travel accessibility, reduce journey times and enhance the overall visitor experience. Easier access to remote tourist destinations is also expected to encourage higher tourist arrivals, particularly during the peak travel seasons.
Officials from the Tourism Department said the projects would generate wide-ranging economic benefits by stimulating business activity in local communities. Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, transport operators and small businesses are expected to benefit from increased visitor numbers, while improved connectivity is likely to attract new private investment in tourism-related infrastructure.
The upgraded road network is also expected to create employment opportunities during both the construction phase and the long-term expansion of tourism services across the province. Authorities believe improved accessibility will help unlock the economic potential of remote regions by connecting local communities more effectively with visitors and commercial activity.
The provincial government described the initiative as part of its long term vision to develop a modern and sustainable tourism sector capable of contributing more significantly to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's economy while promoting balanced regional development and improving infrastructure in tourism dependent areas.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has distributed more than PKR 100 million in interest-free loans among 109 beneficiaries under the Maizban Tourism Programme, aiming to promote community-based tourism and generate new livelihood opportunities across the province.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Tourism, Culture, Archaeology and Museums Malik Adeel Iqbal distributed the loan cheques during a ceremony held in Peshawar.
Under the programme, eligible individuals from Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral and Dir are receiving interest-free financing to establish new homestays or improve existing accommodation facilities for tourists. The initiative is designed to involve local communities directly in the tourism economy while expanding lodging options in popular destinations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Iqbal said the programme would help strengthen local economies by enabling residents, particularly young people and women, to earn income from tourism-related activities.
He said the provincial government was promoting community-based tourism as a means of creating employment, increasing household incomes and supporting sustainable economic development in areas with significant tourism potential.
The special assistant added that efforts would be made to expand the Maizban Tourism Programme so that more individuals and communities could benefit from tourism-related economic opportunities in the future.