Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

PESHAWAR: ReNews Pakistan
The Peshawar High Court has deemed petitions filed by several Afghan nationals seeking naturalisation certificates from the federal government as premature and non-maintainable. The two-member bench, comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Farah Jamshed, ruled that the court cannot directly entertain such requests unless the statutory departmental remedies have been exhausted.
The petitioners, including Mohammad Jamil and others, stated that most had migrated to Pakistan in 1988, with some families arriving prior to 1980. They argued that they had resided, conducted businesses, and integrated socially and economically in the country for decades. While holding Afghan Citizens Cards (ACC) and Proof of Registration (POR), they claimed eligibility for citizenship under the Naturalisation Act, 1926.
The court clarified that issuing naturalisation certificates falls exclusively within the authority of the federal government and the Director General of Immigration and Passports. The judiciary cannot assume executive functions in this regard. It emphasized that the statutory remedy is both efficacious and exclusive, and court intervention is only warranted if the administrative process proves ineffective, such as a delay exceeding six months.
The bench instructed the petitioners to approach the competent authority in accordance with the procedures outlined under the Naturalisation Act, 1926. The judgment underlined that constitutional jurisdiction should not be invoked when an effective legal mechanism exists, ensuring respect for legislative design and institutional integrity.
The decision reinforces procedural compliance, institutional authority, and legal clarity for long-term residents, while maintaining the balance between individual claims and federal governance. It also highlights the importance of following formal channels to secure residency or citizenship status.
Key Takeaways:
• Petitions for naturalisation certificates were declared premature.
• Statutory procedures under the Naturalisation Act, 1926, must be exhausted.
• Federal government and DG Immigration retain exclusive authority.
•Court intervention is allowed only in cases of administrative inaction or inefficiency.
• Ruling reinforces legal certainty, institutional integrity, and residents’ compliance with official processes.
This development is significant for long-term residents seeking legal regularisation and for maintaining a transparent and accountable governance framework in matters of citizenship and residency.

Kohat | ReNews Pakistan
A significant subsurface hydrocarbon discovery in District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is poised to strengthen the economic profile of the region, with potential spillover effects on land utilisation, infrastructure expansion, and long-term asset valuation.
According to a formal disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the exploratory well Baragzai X-01 (Slant), drilled under the Nashpa Exploration License, has yielded commercially viable flows of both oil and natural gas from the Lockhart limestone formation. The operator holds a 65 percent working interest in the block, in partnership with two other state-backed entities.
During testing, the well recorded output of approximately 3,765 barrels of oil per day and 11.2 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at strong wellhead pressure, underscoring the field’s production capacity. The well, spudded in December 2024, was drilled to a depth of 5,170 meters, targeting multiple geological formations known for hydrocarbon potential. Earlier formation tests also resulted in positive flows, further reinforcing the block’s commercial viability.
Energy analysts observe that such discoveries often catalyze broader economic activity in adjacent zones, including road connectivity, logistics corridors, storage facilities, and worker accommodation clusters. Over time, these developments can reshape land demand dynamics, particularly in districts with emerging industrial footprints.
The increased output from indigenous resources is expected to support domestic energy security and reduce import dependence, a factor that indirectly strengthens investor confidence in upstream-linked regions. Historically, confirmed hydrocarbon production in underdeveloped districts has accelerated ancillary development, including warehousing, service yards, and support infrastructure.
Local stakeholders anticipate that improved economic activity may enhance land utility patterns and drive structured growth, provided regulatory oversight and environmental safeguards remain aligned with development objectives.
With commercial testing yielding encouraging results, the discovery positions the Nashpa belt as a strategic zone for sustained energy-linked expansion, potentially unlocking new avenues for regional development and structured land use planning in Kohat and adjoining areas.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
A major inter-provincial highway linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab remained closed on Wednesday after a suicide attack targeted a security checkpost near the Dera Darya Khan bridge in Bhakkar. The closure disrupted travel and commercial movement across the provincial border.
The highway, a critical route for passengers, agricultural produce, and commercial goods, is a key artery for inter-provincial trade and daily mobility. Its closure has created logistical challenges, with vehicles stranded and supply chains temporarily interrupted.
Transport sources reported delays in freight movement and increased travel times due to diversions, impacting operational efficiency and costs. Analysts note that such highways are essential for sustaining trade flows, economic coordination, and timely delivery of goods between provinces.
Authorities are reviewing the security situation and are expected to implement measures to reopen the highway as soon as possible, ensuring safe and uninterrupted inter-provincial connectivity and resumption of trade and commuter movement.