Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced its financing plan for the proposed Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, a 360 kilometre infrastructure project aimed at strengthening transport connectivity between the northern and southern regions of the province.
According to KP Finance Adviser Muzzammil Aslam, the provincial government intends to finance the project through its own budgetary resources, supported by fiscal discipline, better financial planning and improved resource management.
He said the government has completed initial groundwork for the motorway and is preparing to allocate funds in different phases. The estimated initial funding requirement for the project is between Rs 200 billion and Rs 250 billion.
The finance adviser said the financing strategy is based on internal resource mobilisation, with the provincial government seeking to reduce dependence on external borrowing for major development projects. He added that improved financial management would allow the province to move ahead with large scale infrastructure schemes in a more structured manner.
The Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan Motorway is being planned as one of the key road connectivity projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials believe the motorway will improve travel between major districts, support trade movement and provide better access to remote and developing areas of the province.
The project is also expected to play an important role in linking southern districts with the provincial capital and other economic centres. Improved road infrastructure could help reduce travel time, facilitate passenger movement and support commercial activity across the region.
Officials said the motorway is expected to be developed in multiple phases, with construction and funding to be carried out under a structured development framework.
The government plans to use provincial resources for different portions of the project while maintaining control over expenditure and implementation priorities.
The KP government has also indicated that more large scale infrastructure projects may be launched in the coming months as part of its wider development agenda.
Officials said the focus would remain on projects that improve connectivity, strengthen local economies and support balanced regional development across the province.
The proposed motorway is being seen as a major step in the province’s long term infrastructure planning, particularly for improving links between Peshawar, southern KP and adjoining regions.

Peshawar: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has intensified its property tax recovery campaign in Peshawar, launching enforcement operations against major defaulters while also holding consultations with industrial stakeholders to address taxation related concerns.
According to official details, targeted recovery actions were carried out against prominent property tax defaulters under the supervision of Excise and Taxation Officer ETO VI Peshawar Aijaz Anwar. During the operation, several units that had failed to clear outstanding dues were sealed, while final notices were issued to banks and other major defaulters for the recovery of pending property taxes.
Officials said the department had already issued repeated notices to defaulters before taking enforcement action. They added that sealing operations were carried out only against units that continued to ignore legal requirements and failed to deposit their dues within the prescribed time.
In a separate operation, another team led by ETO II Peshawar Tauseef Khan, along with Assistant Excise and Taxation Officers Nasir Mehmood Khan and Zar Ali Khan, also conducted recovery actions in different areas. Several non compliant units were sealed during the campaign after they failed to respond to repeated tax recovery notices.
The Excise Department urged property owners and business operators to ensure timely payment of property taxes in order to avoid legal action, sealing of premises and operational disruption. Officials said the recovery drive would continue against defaulters in accordance with the law.
Alongside the enforcement campaign, the department also engaged with the industrial community to resolve taxation issues through consultation. A meeting was held under the supervision of ETO III Peshawar Zahid Iqbal Khan with representatives of industrial associations, including President Ayub Zakori and Senior Vice President Haris Mufti.
During the meeting, industrial representatives raised different concerns related to tax matters and legal formalities. Officials said around 15 cases were resolved on the spot, a step that was welcomed by the participants. Industrial stakeholders expressed satisfaction over the department’s prompt response and cooperative approach.
The department also issued PT 10 challans to facilitate industrialists in completing legal and taxation requirements. Officials said such facilitation measures were aimed at improving compliance while reducing unnecessary delays for taxpayers.

Malakand : [Mansoor Ahmad District Coordinator ReNews Pakistan]
Work is underway on the Tourist Sitting and Viewpoint near Malakand Tunnel as part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s ongoing initiatives to promote tourism in the region.
Deputy Commissioner Malakand Muhammad Fayaz Khan Sherpao visited the project site and conducted a detailed review of the ongoing development work, construction progress and the quality of materials being used.
Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner said such projects are highly important for promoting tourism and providing better facilities to travelers. He directed the relevant departments and contractors to ensure the early completion of the project in accordance with the required standards, adding that no compromise would be made on construction quality.
Muhammad Fayaz Khan Sherpao said the completion of the Tourist Viewpoint would provide tourists, families and travelers passing through Malakand Division with safe and improved facilities for rest, seating and enjoying the natural scenery.
He said the district administration would continue practical measures for improving tourist sites, enhancing public facilities and beautifying the area.