Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Peshawar : ReNews Pakistan
The district administration of Khyber has confirmed that the first phase of relocating families from the Maidan area of Tirah in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been completed and the second phase is currently in progress. Officials said this is part of a planned, phased operation to move residents from certain parts of the area.
According to local authorities, the initial phase involved the movement of a set number of households who were relocated to alternative sites designated by the administration. Security and civic teams coordinated the process to ensure orderly movement and access to basic services for those participating in the relocation.
The district administration emphasized that the operation is being carried out in a structured manner, with clear communication to residents and support mechanisms in place to address immediate needs such as shelter, food, and health services. Officials have also set up monitoring points and assistance units along key routes to support families and coordinate logistics during the transition to new locations.
Authorities said the second phase will continue in the coming days, with additional families scheduled to move according to an established timeline. The administration highlighted that the phased approach is intended to maintain stability, avoid congestion, and ensure that necessary facilities are available before each group is relocated.
Local representatives and civic groups have been engaged to help coordinate support efforts and ensure that the concerns of relocated families are heard and addressed. Meanwhile, district officials stated that humanitarian considerations remain central to the operation, and that they are working to minimize disruption to daily routines for those affected.
No specific figures on the number of families involved in the second phase have been released yet, but the administration reiterated its commitment to transparent communication as the operation progresses.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced plans to vacate nine additional Afghan refugee camps in Peshawar, continuing a phased closure program across the province. The move aims to reclaim land, infrastructure, and public utilities previously used for long-standing settlements.
Officials said the closures are part of a coordinated federal and provincial effort to manage the refugee population, facilitate voluntary repatriation, and transfer camp facilities to district authorities for public and developmental use. The program aligns with the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, which seeks to regulate undocumented foreign nationals in Pakistan.
Earlier phases have seen 28 camps across Peshawar, Nowshera, Hangu, Kohat, Mardan, and Swabi districts shut down. Authorities have emphasized that the process is being carried out in an orderly and non-coercive manner, giving residents sufficient time to relocate and move their belongings.
Provincial officials said water, electricity, and other utilities in the camps will be systematically withdrawn once residents have vacated. The reclaimed land is expected to be used for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects, supporting regional development. Humanitarian groups, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), have welcomed the orderly approach but stressed that repatriation must remain voluntary and dignified, in line with international norms.
Officials confirmed that district administrations will coordinate closely with residents to ensure minimal disruption while executing the camp closures. The latest phase marks a significant step in the government’s long-term plan to streamline refugee management while making land available for public and economic purposes.

Peshawar | ReNews Pakistan
A workshop organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice in Peshawar highlighted the growing importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR in addressing property and land related disputes. Participants described ADR as a practical, time saving and cost effective mechanism capable of easing pressure on the formal court system.
Legal experts and officials observed that property disputes including ownership claims, boundary demarcation conflicts, tenancy disagreements, inheritance based land partition, real estate development disputes, and compensation matters in land acquisition cases constitute a substantial portion of pending civil litigation. Prolonged trials, repeated hearings and successive appeals often delay final settlement in such cases.
Participants noted that ADR mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration and conciliation provide structured avenues for resolving private land and property conflicts outside lengthy courtroom proceedings. Under the existing legal framework, courts may refer suitable civil matters, particularly those involving property rights and contractual land transactions, to mediation centres or arbitrators for expedited settlement.
During the workshop, speakers highlighted that ADR is particularly effective in the following areas:
▪️ Disputes between property buyers and developers concerning delayed possession or unmet project obligations
▪️ Landlord and tenant disagreements regarding rent, eviction or lease enforcement
▪️ Boundary and title conflicts between adjoining landowners
▪️ Inheritance related division of agricultural and urban land
▪️ Compensation disputes arising from state led land acquisition
It was noted that mediated settlements may be recorded before courts for enforceability, thereby ensuring legal protection of property rights while avoiding extended litigation. Arbitration clauses are also commonly included in commercial real estate and construction agreements to establish a predefined dispute resolution mechanism.
Officials pointed out that rapid urban expansion and rising land values have contributed to a surge in litigation concerning plot allotments, title transfers, encroachments and housing scheme compliance. The effective use of ADR in such matters can facilitate quicker resolution, safeguard investments and support orderly development.
The workshop emphasised that while ADR does not replace the judiciary, it operates within the legal framework and remains subject to judicial oversight where necessary. Participants called for strengthening institutional mediation centres, enhancing capacity building initiatives and promoting pre litigation mediation in selected categories of land and property disputes to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on civil courts.