Day: July 15, 2026

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Standing Committee on Finance chaired by Arbab Muhammad Usman Khan here Tuesday conducted a detail review of KP Digital Payment Act 2026.

The meeting was attended by committee members including Anwar Zeb Khan, Munir Hussain Laghmani, Sher Ali Afridi, Gurpal Singh, Farah Khan, Shazia Tamas Khan, Madina Gul Afridi, Amina Sardar and Sobia Shahid besides Additional Secretary Finance and relevant officers.

The committee conducted a detailed review of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Digital Payments Act, 2026 that was aims to promote digital payment systems across the province, ensure their effective implementation and establish a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for digital payments.

The committee thoroughly examined the proposed amendments presented during previous meeting by members of the standing committee and MPAs.

On the occasion, chairman, Munir Hussain Laghmani and Sher Ali Afridi expressed their concerns and put forward suggestions regarding various provisions of the bill.

Participants of the committee emphasized the need of incorporating clear and effective legal provisions relating to penalties and enforcement to strengthen compliance and ensure effective implementation of the proposed law. It was decided that further consultations and detailed deliberations on the bill would continue in the next meeting.

The key features of the bill included defining the responsibilities of digital payment service providers; making the display of QR codes mandatory for business establishments; requiring businesses to accept digital payments; promoting facilitation and capacity building; outlining the obligations of authorized service providers; providing for business registration and licensing; specifying the powers of designated officers; establishing an effective monitoring mechanism; promoting financial inclusion; ensuring consumer protection and data protection; creating an effective complaint redressal mechanism; empowering the government to frame rules; providing for transitional and protective measures and granting powers to address any implementation-related challenges.

At the conclusion, chairman of the committee directed finance department to incorporate all practical and feasible recommendations put forward by the committee into the bill so that the proposed law is transparent, effective and aligned with contemporary requirements in every respect.

He further directed that the revised draft of the bill be presented before the committee at its next meeting where it would undergo final deliberation before the committee formulates its recommendations.

Havelian: For more than a century, Havelian Railway Station has been Pakistan’s northern rail gateway, linking millions of passengers, tourists and traders from Hazara, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the rest of the country. Today, the historic terminal is struggling with aging infrastructure, limited passenger services and the absence of freight trains despite rapid population growth and expanding business activity across the region.

Despite its strategic importance, the station struggles with aging infrastructure and limited rail services. While Havelian generates an estimated Rs 800 million to Rs 1 billion in monthly revenue for Pakistan Railways, passengers and businesses continue to face hardships.

Local industries face similar challenges. Trade Union President Khurshid Azam and mining trader Muhammad Aslam talking to reporter said Hazara Division has abundant reserves of minerals, marble, granite and industrial stone supplied to markets across Pakistan. However, the lack of dedicated freight trains has forced businesses to depend on costly road transport, raising freight expenses and reducing competitiveness.

Business leaders said Havelian’s location makes it an ideal logistics hub for northern Pakistan. They urged Pakistan Railways to introduce regular freight trains to major industrial centres, saying the move would reduce transport costs, facilitate exports, attract investment and create jobs. They added that expanded freight services would also support the region’s growing agricultural, manufacturing and construction sectors.

The daily struggle is evident as scores of passengers use the station each day. An Assistant Station Master, requesting anonymity, talking to reporter said the station serves only two passenger services: the local train to Rawalpindi, arriving at 11: 00 a.m., and the Hazara Express from Karachi, which reaches Havelian at 7: 00 p.m. The rail corridor connects northern Pakistan with Taxila, Jhelum, Sargodha, Multan and Hyderabad.

Shamaem Bhatti, a student at the Institute of Arts and Culture Lahore who regularly travels from Abbotabad to Lahore and vice versa, told reporter that he now prefers buses over trains. Bhatti further said the lack of a direct Lahore-Havelian train makes rail travel inconvenient, forcing passengers to change trains during the journey. He added that despite the higher cost of bus travel, he prefers paying more to avoid a hectic, uncomfortable and time-consuming train journey.

Travelling from Havelian has become difficult due to the poor condition of the century-old track beyond Haripur, forcing trains to run at low speeds. Commuters Ikram and Muhammad Yousaf said journeys of a few hours often stretch into day-long trips and urged authorities to rehabilitate the track.

Residents said demand for more trains has risen with Hazara Division’s growing population and economy. Rapid urban growth in Abbottabad, Haripur and Mansehra, along with expanding universities, industries, tourism and businesses, has increased daily travel, making existing rail services insufficient. They said additional trains would provide affordable transport and ease pressure on roads.

Basic safety at the station remains a concern. A Security guard at station said personnel maintain round-the-clock vigilance despite the lack of CCTV cameras, a boundary wall and reliable lights. Frequent outages leave platforms in darkness, while railway colony families must cross active tracks due to the absence of a pedestrian bridge, putting children and women at risk.

The unrealised potential of Havelian is reflected in the proposed Havelian Dry Port. Conceived as a flagship CPEC project worth around $65 million, it was planned as an international cargo terminal to handle trade from the Khunjerab Pass through the Karakoram Highway. Although linked with the proposed ML-1 upgrade, residents said construction remains stalled. They urged the authorities concerned to expedite the project, calling it vital for unlocking northern Pakistan’s trade potential.

Globally, railways have remained a backbone of economic growth by moving passengers and freight efficiently, reducing transport costs and supporting trade and industrial development. Despite having a rail system that is more than a century old, Pakistan has yet to fully utilise its railway potential, particularly for freight movement and regional connectivity. Experts and business communities believe expanding rail services could play a key role in boosting economic activity, easing pressure on roads and strengthening trade links.

Residents said Havelian deserves renewed investment for its economic importance and heritage. Built in 1913 during British rule, the station retains its colonial-era stone architecture and remains one of Pakistan’s most scenic railway stations, serving as the northern rail gateway for generations. They called on Pakistan Railways to modernise the station, upgrade the aging track, expand passenger and freight services, and accelerate the Havelian Dry Port project to improve travel and strengthen trade, tourism and economic growth across Hazara and northern Pakistan.

Multan: The Punjab Agriculture Department has issued an advisory for the care of citrus orchards during July.

The advisory said pest and disease attacks are expected in orchards during the monsoon season, advising growers to arrange fungicides and pesticides in consultation with local agriculture experts.

Citrus orchards should be irrigated at intervals of 15 days, it said, adding that growers must ensure proper drainage of excess rainwater.

The advisory also recommended spraying Bordeaux mixture or copper-based fungicide after rainfall and applying the third dose of nitrogenous fertiliser during the current month. Growers were further advised to replace the medicated cotton swabs in fruit fly traps every 15 days.

The advisory was issued by the spokesperson of the Punjab Agriculture Department.

Sialkot: Chairman Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Abdul Ghafoor Malik and Vice Chairman Syed Shahid Raza received a delegation comprising representatives of the Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP) and members of the Sialkot business community.

The delegation congratulated the newly appointed Chairman and Vice Chairman on assuming their respective responsibilities and extended its best wishes for a successful and productive tenure.

During the meeting, participants highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between SIAL and the business community to promote trade, enhance exports, and contribute to sustainable economic development in the region.

The delegation included prominent business leaders, including former Vice President of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Ansar Aziz Puri, SIMAP President Zeeshan Tariq, and former SIMAP President Yousaf Hassan Bajwa.

Rawalpindi: The City Traffic Police Rawalpindi has installed Pink Button QR Codes at the Maarka-e-Haq Square Campus of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), enabling female students to instantly seek emergency police assistance through a single scan.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi Farhan Aslam on the occasion said that the technology-driven initiative, launched under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, aims to provide a safer and more secure environment for female students.

He explained that scanning the QR code instantly alerts the relevant police team, minimizing response time and ensuring timely intervention during emergencies. He added that the facility would gradually be extended to other educational institutions and key public locations across the district.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera emphasized that the coordinated efforts of the traffic and district police would strengthen public confidence by ensuring prompt emergency response. He urged students and parents to utilize the digital safety facility without hesitation to help the police provide immediate assistance in any unusual situation.

Dera ismail khan: The district administration has intensified safety measures at rivers and waterways across the district to prevent drowning incidents and safeguard public lives.

According to administration strict enforcement of Section 144 has been initiated, prohibiting swimming, unauthorized entry into rivers, and visits to dangerous riverbank areas.

As part of the campaign, Assistant Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddique, accompanied by the District Emergency Officer of Rescue 1122, the Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMA), the Civil Defence in-charge, and Cantonment Police officials, inspected Daryaband and other sensitive locations along the Indus River.

During the visit, the team reviewed the permanent safety camp established jointly by the district administration and Rescue 1122 near Dera Board.

Officials briefed the Assistant Commissioner on emergency response preparedness, rescue capabilities, staff deployment, and public awareness initiatives.

Dr. Siddique also met boat owners and operators, directing them to ensure the availability of life jackets and safety tubes for all passengers, strictly adhere to the approved passenger capacity, and fully comply with all safety regulations.

He warned that no compromise would be made on public safety and that legal action would be taken against anyone violating the prescribed rules.

He also held discussions with local volunteer swimmers willing to assist in emergency rescue operations.

It was decided that Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence would jointly register the volunteers to enable their organized deployment and swift mobilization during emergencies.

To improve the safety and regulation of boat operations, the district administration also decided that all boats would be formally registered, undergo fitness inspections by the Motor Vehicle Examiner, and receive No Objection Certificates (NOCs) only after fulfilling all mandatory safety requirements.

The district administration, Rescue 1122, TMA, Civil Defence, and district police are jointly enhancing surveillance, public awareness campaigns, rescue preparedness, and safety arrangements at rivers and waterways to minimize the risk of accidents.

Appealing to the people, Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddique urged citizens to comply with Section 144, avoid unnecessary visits to rivers and streams, keep children under close supervision, and follow the safety guidelines issued by the district administration.

He emphasized that protecting human life is a shared responsibility and that simple precautions can prevent major incident.