Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Chitral : ReNews Pakistan
The federal government has set December 2026 as the revised completion deadline for the 153-kilometre Chitral–Booni–Mastuj–Shandur Road, a strategically important highway project aimed at improving connectivity between Upper Chitral and the Shandur region.
According to official documents, the project requires Rs4.20 billion during the 2026-27 fiscal year to achieve its revised target. Authorities have already spent Rs6.59 billion on the road's construction since work began.
The route connects Chitral, Pret, Booni, Mastuj, Shaidas and Shandur, providing an important transport corridor for local communities, tourism and regional economic activity. Following its federalisation in May 2020, the road was designated National Highway N-140, bringing it under the national highway network.
To facilitate construction, the project has been divided into four separate work packages, with work currently in progress on all sections. However, construction progress varies considerably across the different segments.
The first package, extending from Chitral to Pret, has recorded the highest level of progress, with 47.54 percent of work completed. The second package, covering the Pret–Booni section, has reached 34.77 percent completion.
Meanwhile, the third package, from Booni to Shaidas, stands at 38.16 percent completion. The fourth and final package, connecting Shaidas with Shandur, has achieved 29.78 percent progress, making it the least advanced section of the project.
The Chitral–Shandur Road was originally scheduled for completion between 2023 and 2024, but construction delays resulted in a revised timeline. With the government now targeting completion by December 2026, the timely release of development funds and sustained construction activity will be critical to meeting the new deadline.
Once completed, the upgraded highway is expected to improve year-round accessibility, facilitate tourism to the internationally renowned Shandur Pass, reduce travel times, strengthen regional trade and provide safer transportation for residents across Upper Chitral.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
A Rs 13 billion solarisation project aimed at providing electricity to 45,887 households in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s merged districts has faced further delays after the federal government raised serious technical, financial and administrative objections to its PC-I and directed the provincial government to revise the project documents.
According to official records, the PC-I submitted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government contained several shortcomings, preventing the project from moving forward for approval. The federal government had provided Rs 13 billion to the provincial government in 2024, yet solar systems have still not been distributed to eligible families.
The project is intended to provide affordable, environmentally friendly and sustainable electricity to thousands of households in the merged districts, particularly in areas where power supply remains limited or unreliable.
The matter was reviewed at a pre-Central Development Working Party meeting held on July 7, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Member Energy. The meeting examined progress on the Accelerated Implementation Plan and the proposed solar project.
Participants were informed that weak planning and incomplete documentation had prevented the project from meeting the required approval standards.
Earlier, at a meeting chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning on December 31, 2025, officials were directed to implement the scheme on a grant basis rather than through loans. The meeting also called for the appointment of qualified and experienced vendors and the use of Benazir Income Support Programme data to ensure the transparent identification of eligible households.
However, after reviewing the PC-I, the Energy Wing of the Planning Commission identified several deficiencies related to technical design, cost estimates, beneficiary selection, procurement procedures and project implementation.
Federal authorities have now directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to address all objections and prepare a revised PC-I before submitting the project again for approval.
The continued delay has raised concerns among thousands of families in the merged districts who have long struggled with inadequate electricity access and were expecting immediate relief through the solar scheme.

Abbotabad : ReNews Pakistan
The district administration in Havelian has reclaimed more than four kanals of expensive government land during a large-scale anti encroachment operation aimed at removing illegal structures from public property.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional Assistant Commissioner-II Muhammad Osama Khan on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad. The action targeted encroachments established on land owned by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) adjacent to the Rescue 1122 building in Havelian.
During the operation, enforcement teams demolished four illegally constructed shops and removed a hand pump that had been installed on the occupied land. Following the clearance operation, possession of the land was formally restored to the TMA.
Officials from the relevant government departments remained present throughout the operation to oversee the demolition and ensure that the process was completed peacefully and in accordance with administrative procedures. No major law and order situation was reported during the drive.
The district administration reiterated its commitment to protecting public assets and preventing the unlawful occupation of government land. Officials stated that anti-encroachment operations would continue across the district and that strict action would be taken against illegal occupants without discrimination.
Authorities added that reclaiming public land is essential for preserving government property, improving civic management, and ensuring that land reserved for public use remains available for future development and community services.