Month: July 2026

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission (KPIC) has said that the provincial government is promoting transparency in public institutions through the effective implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, enabling citizens to access official information more easily.

According to the commission, more than 30,556 citizens have so far obtained public information from government departments and institutions under the RTI law, contributing to greater transparency and accountability in governance.

The commission cited a study conducted by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) and the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), which ranked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the best-performing province in Pakistan for implementing the Right to Information Act.

It said an RTI mobile application had also been launched, allowing citizens to submit requests for information and register complaints online. The commission is required to decide appeals within 60 days, enabling timely access to public information.

The commission noted that implementation of the RTI law has strengthened transparency in government departments and increased public confidence in state institutions.

Chief Information Commissioner Meher Taj Roghani and Information Commissioners Farah Naz, Zarina Awan, and Palwasha Khan, along with officials of the commission, reiterated their commitment to ensuring citizens’ right to information and improving transparency in public institutions.

Faisalabad: Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Madam Qurrat-ul-Ain Memon said that FIEDMC would establish a state-of-the-art 113-acre bonded warehouse and a dedicated community center for Chinese investors while completing administrative reforms to accelerate development and occupancy of its industrial estates.

Addressing a meeting at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), she said that a summary for the proposed projects had been prepared and would soon be forwarded to the provincial cabinet for approval.

She said that the first five to six months after assuming office were devoted to introducing administrative reforms as sustainable progress and timely resolution of issues were impossible without strong and efficient management system.

She said that on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz, the entire FIEDMC approval system had been digitalized through the E-Biz platform, enabling investors to obtain required approvals within hours instead of days.

She said that industrial plots in FIEDMC-managed estates were among the most affordable in the country, but a number of allottees had retained possession of their plots for nearly a decade without initiating construction.

She said that the company would adopt a balanced approach by protecting the interests of genuine investors while cancelling plots allotted to non-serious investors who had failed to establish industrial units despite the passage of considerable time.

Such plots would be re-allotted to entrepreneurs ready to start construction immediately, thereby generating industrial production, employment opportunities and exports, she added.

She said that a survey of vacant plots had been conducted through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which revealed that several allottees had not even laid the foundations of their proposed industrial units.

Referring to facilities for Chinese investors, she said that dedicated residential space had been earmarked where FIEDMC would construct housing at its own expense in addition to existing accommodation arrangements.

This initiative would facilitate the secure movement of Chinese nationals within the gated industrial zones and further strengthen investor confidence, she added.

She also announced plans to establish labor colonies in adjoining areas to provide decent housing facilities for industrial workers.

She said that proposals were also under consideration to improve transport connectivity through electric bus services and a railway passenger service linking the industrial estates with surrounding areas.

A railway platform would be constructed within the industrial estate where Pakistan Railways and Customs authorities would provide operational services to facilitate freight movement and trade, she added.

She further informed the participants that a cargo train service would soon be launched to connect the industrial estates with Faisalabad, Chak Jhumra and Chiniot, significantly improving logistics and supply chain efficiency for exporters and manufacturers.

Earlier, FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said that establishment of FIEDMC had long been a key demand of the business community as industrial development remained essential for sustainable economic growth, employment generation and export expansion.

He said that the government had set an export target of 60 billion US dollars. “However, we have the potential to increase Pakistan’s exports up to 100 billion dollars if conducive industrial policies and improved infrastructure are provided,” he added.

Farooq Yousaf Sheikh appreciated the performance of FIEDMC under Chairman Rana Azhar Waqar and CEO Qurrat-ul-Ain Memon, stating that the organization’s administrative and operational environment had improved significantly following their appointments.

He urged FIEDMC to ensure provision of basic infrastructure for the chamber’s allotted plot within industrial estate and called for early commencement of the proposed 50-acre Expo Center project.

Regarding the proposed cancellation of undeveloped plots, FCCI President suggested that genuine allottees willing to begin construction should be given additional time instead of facing immediate cancellation.

Senior Vice President FCCI Naveed Akram Sheikh offered vote of thanks while FCCI President presented chamber’s commemorative shield, gifts and a collar pin to Madam Qurrat-ul-Ain Memon.

Later, she also recorded her remarks in the FCCI Visitors’ Book.

Vice President FCCI Engineer Asim Munir, former FCCI President Muzammil Sultan, Rana Muhammad Sikandar Azam Khan, Atif Munir Sheikh, Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, Vice President Faisalabad Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FWCCI) Madam Maimoona Imran, Kanwal Saeed, Mian Muhammad Tayyab, Hajji Muhammad Attaullah, Nabeel Nisar, Kashif Anjum and other leading representatives of the business community also attended the meeting.

Abbottabad: Commissioner Hazara Division Fayyaz Ali Shah on Tuesday inaugurated a Color Scheme System for Suzuki public transport vehicles operating on local routes in Abbottabad, aiming to improve the management, transparency and regulation of the public transport network.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the Commissioner’s Office and attended by Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), SSP Traffic Abbottabad Muhammad Ishtiaq, representatives of the Excise and Taxation Department and other officials.

Under the new system, Suzuki vehicles operating on local routes will be issued route-specific colour-coded stickers, enabling authorities to identify whether a vehicle is operating on its approved route. The Regional Transport Authority will maintain a complete record of all stickers issued.

Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner Fayyaz Ali Shah said the initiative was launched to make the local public transport system more efficient, transparent and organised. He said the colour-coded stickers would help prevent unauthorized route changes, reduce irregularities and address public complaints.

He announced that, in the initial phase, a limited number of stickers would be issued daily, with the system to be expanded gradually to cover all public transport vehicles operating on local routes.

The Commissioner also directed the traffic police to ensure strict enforcement of the new system and traffic regulations. He instructed SSP Traffic Abbottabad Muhammad Ishtiaq to monitor implementation of the scheme and continue action against vehicles operating without valid route permits or violating transport regulations.

Fayyaz Ali Shah further clarified that only vehicles possessing valid route permits would be eligible for the issuance of motor vehicle token tax, while strict legal action would be taken against transporters operating without permits or in violation of the prescribed rules.

He reiterated the district administration’s commitment to providing the public with safe, well-regulated and quality transport services through effective enforcement and administrative reforms.

Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Usman Shaukat held a meeting with Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Chief, Aamer Rashid to discuss matters of mutual interest and strengthen institutional cooperation for the local business community.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged detailed views on various issues affecting the business community and RCCI members. The discussion particularly focused on improving inter-institutional coordination, facilitating local businesses, and addressing pressing civic and administrative concerns.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the RCCI and the Cantonment Board to work closely for the welfare of traders, promote a business-friendly environment, and build stronger public-private collaboration to achieve sustainable economic growth in the region.

The RCCI president was accompanied by Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi and Former President Mian Habibullah during the deliberations.

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Irrigation, Riaz Khan on Tuesday visited various construction sites of the Pehur High Level Canal (PHLC) project in district Swabi and reviewed the pace of work.

Expressing concern over the slow progress of the project, the minister issued strict directives to the concerned officials and contractors to ensure its completion by October this year emphasizing that no further delay would be tolerated.

During the visit, the minister was given a comprehensive briefing on the overall progress of the project including its physical and financial progress, key challenges, and the timeline for its completion.

The minister inspected various components of the project including ongoing construction activities, canal infrastructure and engineering works. He directed the concerned authorities to further accelerate pace of work by mobilizing all available resources and ensuring daily monitoring of progress so that the project was completed within the stipulated timeframe by October.

He said that the KP government was fully committed to fulfilling its promises to people and that the timely completion of public welfare projects remained one of the provincial government’s highest priorities.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to removing all administrative, technical and operational hurdles hindering the project’s completion.

Provincial Minister for Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Aqib Ullah Khan, Members of the Provincial Assembly including Abdul Karim and Rangez Ahmad Khan, Secretary Irrigation Muhammad Abid Wazir, Project Director, concerned engineers and other officials were present during the visit.

Attock: Rescue 1122 Attock organized a Basic Life Support (BLS) and Emergency First Aid training workshop for police officers and personnel at Police Lines Attock as part of the Punjab government’s “Safe Punjab” initiative.

The workshop was conducted under the supervision of District Emergency Officer Dr. Mian Muhammad Ashfaq and District Police Officer Sardar Moarhan Khan. Rescue 1122 instructors provided practical training on first aid techniques and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to help participants respond effectively to emergencies before medical teams arrive.

Dr. Ashfaq said first aid and CPR are essential life-saving skills that should be widely taught, stressing that timely intervention during the first few minutes of an emergency can save lives.

DPO Sardar Moarhan Khan appreciated Rescue 1122’s efforts, saying police officers are often the first responders at accident sites and public emergencies, making first aid training vital for improving their ability to protect lives and property.