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.

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.