Day: July 17, 2026

Peshawar: The Sunni Khel Qol Committee on Thursday staged a protest here, demanding implementation of an agreed decision in a longstanding land dispute and the removal of an alleged illegal armed check post.

Led by Chairman Mufti Sanaullah and other committee members, the protesters alleged that the Zarghan Khel tribe had failed to implement the mutually accepted decision despite a written agreement between the two sides.

They also claimed that an illegal armed check post had been established on a government road, causing inconvenience to local residents and disrupting free movement.

The protesters urged the federal and provincial authorities to take immediate notice of the matter, remove the alleged illegal check post, and ensure a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

They warned of expanding their protest, including blocking the Kohat Highway, if their demands were not met.

Haripur: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan on Thursday said the timely completion of the Chaprah Dam and Daur Right Bank Canal projects was among the provincial government’s top priorities, describing them as vital for Haripur’s agricultural growth and economic development.

He made the remarks during a visit to Haripur, undertaken on the special directives of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, where he inspected the ongoing construction work on both projects.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work and directed the relevant officials to accelerate construction while ensuring quality and transparency in the execution of both schemes.

Member of the Provincial Assembly Akbar Ayub, the Director General of Small Dams, Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineers and other Irrigation Department officials accompanied the minister during the visit.

At Chaprah Dam, officials briefed the minister on the progress of construction, hydrology, spillway and outlet works. Riaz Khan said the project would play a key role in promoting agriculture in Haripur and warned that unnecessary delays would not be tolerated. He directed the authorities to complete the dam on a priority basis without compromising construction standards.

The minister later inspected various sections of the under-construction Daur Right Bank Canal, where he was briefed on the project’s progress. He instructed officials to maintain high standards of quality and ensure transparency throughout the construction process.

Riaz Khan said the provincial government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, was utilizing all available resources to provide basic public facilities, promote transparent governance and ensure the timely completion of development projects across the province.

Rawalpindi: The police on Thursday arrested eleven gamblers during a crackdown and recovered Rs120,000 staked money, nine mobile phones and a set of playing cards from their possession.

According to police spokesperson, a case has been registered against the arrested gamblers and further legal proceedings are underway. The case was registered in Pirwadhai police station.

SP Rawal Saad Arshad commended police team and said the accused would be presented to court with substantial evidence.

He reiterated that gambling is the root cause of other social evils and said the Rawalpindi Police would continue taking strict action against those involved in such illegal activities.

Dera ismail khan: The district administration has intensified its operation against illegal outlets on the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) to curb water theft and ensure equitable distribution of irrigation water among farmers.

According to the district administration, the ongoing campaign, being carried out jointly by th district administration, the Irrigation Department and other relevant agencies, aims to eliminate unauthorized water outlets that disrupt the fair supply of canal water.

It says that the operation is part of broader efforts to make the canal system more transparent, efficient and impartial, ensuring that every farmer receives their rightful share of irrigation water.

It added that strict, indiscriminate action against illegal outlets will continue to safeguard water resources and uphold fairness in the distribution of canal water.

Peshawar: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Food Dr Muhammad Israr Khan Thursday met a delegation of the World Food Program (WFP) led by its Country Director, Ms Anita Hirsch in Islamabad to discuss a wide range of issues related to food security, nutrition and institutional collaboration.

Secretary Food Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Mahmood was also present during the meeting, said a release issued here.

Matters relating to ongoing and future cooperation in the areas of nutrition program, wheat policy, digitalization of wheat management and departmental operations, capacity building, promotion of safe and quality food and strengthening food security across the province were discussed. Both sides also discussed measures to enhance the efficiency of the food system through modern governance and policy reforms.

Speaking on the occasion, WFP Country Director, Anita Hirsch appreciated the performance of KP Food Department and Food Safety Authority and termed provincial government’s efforts to ensure access to safe, nutritious and quality food as commendable. She expressed WFP’s interest in expanding cooperation in the fields of food security, nutrition, institutional capacity building and other areas of mutual interest.

Dr Muhammad Israr Khan said that strong partnerships with international organizations were essential for promoting food security and a healthier society. He said collaboration with the World Food Program would help strengthen provincial policies on nutrition, improve food security and support initiatives aimed at ensuring better public health.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation and translating areas of mutual interest into practical initiatives for benefit of KP people.

Abbottabad: The district administration has suspended mining activities at a site in Tarnawai after an inspection found that debris outside the notified limits under Section 144 posed a threat to nearby residents.

According to the district administration, the inspection of Lease Block 26/10, Mandrayian, Tarnawai was conducted on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad, Sarmad Saleem Akram. Additional Assistant Commissioner, Kamran Ali Shah, accompanied by a committee constituted under the supervision of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), led the joint inspection.

Officials from the Assistant Director Mines, Inspectorate of Mines, Forest Department, Revenue Department and other relevant departments participated in the visit.

During the inspection, the committee found that mining at a location beyond the limits notified under Section 144 had created a dangerous accumulation of debris, posing a risk to the nearby population. The mining operation at the site was immediately halted.

The committee also heard the concerns of local complainants and representatives of the lease holder. Evidence of illegal tree cutting was found, prompting the Forest Department to initiate legal action by registering an FIR against those responsible.

The lease holder assured the committee that immediate steps would be taken to restore the area’s water supply.

The committee recommended the construction of retaining walls in the affected areas, implementation of protective measures in view of the natural flow of rainwater, and an assessment of relocating severely affected structures situated along the natural drainage channel.

The district administration said further action would be taken after receiving reports from all the relevant departments.