Day: July 15, 2026

Peshawar: KP Minister for Law, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Aftab Alam said that the provincial government was taking practical steps to eliminate legal and administrative obstacles hindering urban development, transparent governance, and public welfare projects.

He expressed these views while while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet’s Standing Committee here on Tuesday.

Besides, KP Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Meena Khan Afridi, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Transport and Mass Transit Samiullah Khan, Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Faisal Uthman Khel, Secretary Transport and Mass Transit Muhammad Zubair, the Chief Executive Officer of the Transport and Mass Transit Department, and senior officials from the Law Department, Local Government Department, Urban Areas Development Authority (UADA), Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), Transport Authority and other relevant departments attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed proposed amendments to urban development laws, financial and administrative matters related to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, and several other key government issues.

The committee conducted a detailed review of the recommendations and minutes of the Cabinet’s sub-committee regarding proposed amendments to the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) Act, 2017 and the Urban Areas Development Authority (UADA) Act, 2020.

Members also examined the legal, constitutional and administrative aspects of Writ Petition No. 1220/2024 to strengthen the government’s position before the court while ensuring that proposed reforms remain aligned with the public interest.

The meeting discussed shortcomings in the existing legal provisions governing plot allotments, deficiencies in the current housing policy, and the need for reforms in light of judicial decisions and prevailing laws.

The committee directed the relevant authorities to review the quota policy for regular employees and civil servants and clearly distinguish between employees whose accrued rights are protected and those whose rights are not.

It also ordered the formulation of a minimum market value for plot allotments, the development of clear terms and conditions for residential plot allocations, the early finalisation of regulations required under the UADA Act, and measures to exclude beneficiaries who have already availed themselves of previous schemes from future allotments. The committee further directed that legal advisers of both the PDA and UADA be invited to the next meeting.

The committee also reviewed financial payments and other legal and administrative matters relating to the BRT project involving the Cantonment Board Peshawar.

It instructed all concerned institutions to resolve outstanding issues through mutual consultation, transparency and in accordance with legal requirements to ensure that development projects continue without delay and that quality public transport services remain uninterrupted.

The Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was tasked to finalise recommendations on these matters for presentation at the next meeting.

Addressing the participants, Aftab Alam said the provincial government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, is committed to strengthening the rule of law, promoting transparent governance and implementing institutional reforms. He said modernising urban development laws is essential to prevent unnecessary legal disputes and administrative bottlenecks in the future.

The minister said the government was prioritising legislation that safeguards the public interest, encourages investment, improves urban planning, enhances institutional capacity and ensures the timely completion of development projects.

He stressed that all proposed amendments would be finalised in accordance with constitutional requirements, judicial pronouncements and the broader public interest.

He also directed all relevant departments to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and complete all legal and administrative processes within the prescribed timeframe to eliminate unnecessary delays, improve transparency in urban development and ensure the timely delivery of better civic services to the people.

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW) has notified Technical Advisory Committee to review, refine, and finalize the draft Khyber Pakhtunkhwa HIV and AIDS (Prevention, Control, Treatment and Protection) Bill.

The committee has been constituted following the directions of Minister for Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khaleeq Ur Rehman.

The committee will be chaired by the Chairperson of KPCSW, Dr. Sumera Shams, with the Director General Health Services serving as Co-Chair and the Secretary KPCSW serving as Convener/Secretary, while Program Director of HIV, AIDS, Thalassaemia and TB Control Program will provide technical leadership.

Other members include MPAs Ms. Shazia Tehmas, Rehana Ismail, Ex- Additional Director General Health Services, Director Public Health Khyber Medical University and Program Manager Blue Veins, Qamar Naseem.

According to the notification, the committee has been tasked with reviewing and examining the draft Khyber Pakhtunkhwa HIV and AIDS legislation in light of recommendations emerging from provincial consultations and stakeholder engagements.

The committee will also recommend legal, technical, and policy amendments to ensure alignment with the Constitution of Pakistan, applicable federal and provincial laws, scientific evidence, and internationally recognized human rights principles

It will further review implementation mechanisms and institutional responsibilities, recommend measures for effective enforcement of the bill to ensure equitable access to healthcare, justice, education, employment, and social protection and undertake consultations with relevant stakeholders to build consensus on the draft legislation.

The finalized draft of the bill will be submitted by the committee to the Office of Minister for Health within the period of one month.

Provincial Minister for Health, Khaleeq Ur Rehman, stated, “The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is committed to introducing a comprehensive legal framework that strengthens the province’s HIV/AIDS response and ensures access to quality healthcare without discrimination.

The committee’s technical expertise will help produce legislation that is practical, responsive, and aligned with provincial and national priorities and international best practices.”

Dr. Sumera Shams, Chairperson Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women, said, “Through the constitution of this committee, KPCSW wants to developing a rights-based, evidence-informed, and inclusive legal framework for HIV prevention, treatment, care, and protection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’. ‘Through broad stakeholder engagement, we aim to ensure that the legislation safeguards the dignity, privacy, and fundamental rights of all persons living with HIV, especially women, while strengthening accountability within the health system’, she added.

Shazia Atta, Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women noted, “By bringing together policymakers, representatives from health department, public health experts, and civil society, the committee provides a platform to ensure that perspectives of all the stakeholders are reflected and a technically sound legislation is developed’.

Civil society organisations have also welcomed the notification of the committee as a timely intervention.

Qamar Naseem, Program Manager, Blue Veins remarked, ‘The constitution of the Technical Advisory Committee marks a significant step towards strengthening Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s legal and institutional response to HIV and AIDS, advancing a more inclusive, rights-based public health framework and improving public health outcomes across the province.’

Public health remains a key priority for the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Health Department remains committed to improving health outcomes for people living with HIV by strengthening HIV/AIDS response efforts and ensuring access to quality, equitable, and stigma-free healthcare services across the province.

Rawalpindi: Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigation) (SSP) Nasir Ali Khan held an open court (Khuli Katchery) at Police Lines Headquarters here on Tuesday to hear public complaints and issue directions for their prompt resolution.

According to police spokesman, the SSP listened to complaints from citizens and directed the relevant officers to take immediate legal action on the applications within the stipulated timeframe.

Nasir Ali Khan instructed officers to ensure that all marked complaints would be dealt with strictly within the stipulated deadline, warning that negligence in resolving public grievances would not be tolerated.

He also stressed the need to ensure efficient service delivery at police stations and directed officers to remain responsive to the concerns of the public.

The SSP said that, in line with the vision of the Chief Minister Punjab, protecting the lives and property of citizens and providing them with quality public services remain the police’s top priorities, adding that all necessary measures are being taken.

Peshawar: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan have decided to outline a joint framework and mechanism to boost the mutual collaboration and economic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

The decision was made during a meeting between a delegation of SCCI, headed by its president Junaid Altaf and Advisor to Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Ali Sher on the sideline of the SCCI-hosted Business Excellence Award and Investment Conference 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, said in a press release here on Tuesday.

Delegation was consisted of leader of Businessman Forum and former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, the chamber’s vice president Sabir Ahmad Bangash, a member of executive committee Saddam Hussain, and former president of Industrialist Association Peshawar Imran Ishaq, and member Qaiser Shahzad, Sohail Javed and others.

Participants of the meeting exchanged views regarding hurdles in the way of Pak-Uzbek mutual trade relations, enabling an environment for investors, especially establishment of Business to Business linkages.

Both sides pledged to remove impediments and resolve problems being faced by traders of the both countries and strengthen mutual collaboration in future.

The meeting agreed to devise a joint framework and mechanism to promote Business to Business linkages between businessmen of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

It decided that permanent connections/linkages to be established between businessmen of the both the countries, besides exchange of business profiles, exploring and identification of business/investment avenues and promote partnership under the proposed framework.

President Junaid Altaf while expressing his views during the meeting stated that vast opportunities are available to strengthen mutual trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

However, he emphasized joint initiatives to fully exploit the trade potentials of the both countries in this regard.

The SCCI chief mentioned the recent conduct of Business Excellence Award and Investment Conference 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, stating that this mega event was part of the chamber’s efforts to improve the bilateral trade and economic ties between the two countries.

President Junaid Altaf vowed SCCI would continue its cooperation with the Uzbekistan chamber to further cement the Pak-Uzbek economic relations.

Peshawar: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), and Chamber of Commerce Uzbekistan have decided to outline a joint framework and mechanism to boost the mutual collaboration and economic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

The decision was made during a meeting between a delegation of SCCI, headed by its president Junaid Altaf and Advisor to Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Ali Sher on the sideline of the SCCI-hosted Business Excellence Award and Investment Conference 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, said in a press release here on Tuesday.

Delegation was comprised leader of Businessman Forum and former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, SCCI Vice President Sabir Ahmad Bangash, executive committee member Saddam Hussain and former president of Industrialist Association Peshawar Imran Ishaq.

Participants of the meeting exchanged views regarding hurdles in the way of Pak-Uzbek mutual trade relations, enabling an environment for investors especially establishment of Business to Business linkages.

Both sides pledged to remove impediments and resolve problems being faced by traders and strengthen mutual collaboration in future.

The meeting agreed to devise a joint framework and mechanism to promote Business to Business linkages between businessmen of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

It decided that permanent connections to be established between businessmen of the both the countries besides exchange of business profiles, exploring and identification of business avenues and promote partnership under the proposed framework.

Rawalpindi: Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, strongly condemned remarks by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) President, Maulana Fazlur Rehman that sought to equate the sacrifices of Pakistan’s Armed Forces personnel with salary, stating that such statements deeply hurt the sentiments of martyrs’ families and the nation.

In a statemen issued here on Tuesday, Barrister Danyal said the sacrifices of soldiers who laid down their lives for the motherland are a reflection of patriotism, faith, duty, and selflessness; values that cannot be measured in financial terms.

“No one sacrifices their life for money. It is love for the nation and a sense of duty that drives them”, he said. He emphasized that Pakistan’s Armed Forces personnel daily lay down their lives to defend the country and protect its people, and it was due to these sacrifices that peace and stability prevail in Pakistan today.

Barrister Danyal said martyrdom was a sacred status attained through faith and sacrifice, and reducing it to any material gain diminishes its exalted rank. He said the sacrifices of martyrs’ families are irreplaceable, and the nation salutes their resilience.

Noting that Maulana Fazlur Rehman was a senior politician, greater responsibility and caution were expected in his discourse. “Statements concerning national security, the Armed Forces, and martyrs must be made with care to avoid hurting emotions”.

The Parliamentary Secretary reaffirmed that the nation took immense pride in its martyrs and would always honor their sacrifices with the highest respect.