PESHAWAR: The Northern Bypass project, intended to complete the Ring Road around Peshawar, continues to face significant delays due to insufficient funding. The project, which began in 2010, has entered its 17th year and is now facing a severe financial shortfall. The federal government has allocated only Rs500 million for the current fiscal year, far below the Rs5.3 billion required to complete the final phase of the project on schedule.

Initially conceived with an estimated cost of Rs 3.07 billion, the project’s cost has ballooned to Rs 27 billion following multiple revisions. The construction of various packages has experienced repeated delays, with Package I originally set for completion in 2011 but revised to 2014. Similarly, other phases, including Package II and Package 3A, have also missed deadlines, with completion now expected in 2025.

The most recent phase, Package 3B, which runs from Nasir Bagh to Takhta Baig in Khyber district, was launched in December 2023 and is now projected to complete in February 2026. The project requires Rs4.27 billion in actual funding, along with an additional Rs1.1 billion for escalation costs.

At a recent meeting chaired by the Commissioner of Peshawar Division, officials from the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the district administration discussed the urgent need for additional funds. The provincial government is expected to approach the federal government to request the release of the necessary funds.

The Northern Bypass is intended to alleviate traffic congestion by providing an alternate route for vehicles coming from the motorway and GT Road, benefiting both Peshawar city and the surrounding areas. Timely completion is critical for improving traffic flow and infrastructure in the region.

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Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has completed the primary phase of the T-Chowk Flyover project, situated at the junction of G.T. Road and Islamabad Expressway, ahead of its initially scheduled deadline.

The 1.1-kilometre flyover, worth Rs 1.4 billion, is designed to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly for commuters travelling from Lahore. Initially slated for completion by February 19, the project was finalised in just 90 days, with only minor works remaining, expected to conclude within the week.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone for the project on September 12. Despite the project being completed ahead of time, the cost increased by 15% due to the addition of an extra lane and the construction of U-turns. This adjustment was in line with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) guidelines, which allow for such increases when deemed necessary.

In parallel, the Shaheen Chowk Underpass project, located at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Khyaban-i-Iqbal, is also nearing completion. Initially planned for April, this underpass is expected to be finished ahead of schedule. Similar to the T-Chowk Flyover, this project also experienced a 15% cost rise due to changes in the scope of work.

Although some concerns were raised regarding the revisions to the project scope, officials have praised the CDA’s efficiency in completing these major infrastructure projects swiftly, minimising public inconvenience and controlling costs. Acknowledgement for the timely execution of these projects goes to Prime Minister Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa.

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Saleha Ali

RAWALPINDI: Following directives from Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Sultan Bajwa, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health Engineering (HUD&PHE), visited the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on Saturday to review ongoing development projects. The meeting focused on evaluating progress and discussing future urban planning strategies.

RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza presented a comprehensive overview of major projects, including the Rawalpindi Ring Road, the Nullah Lai Project, and the Rehabilitation of the Metro Bus Corridor. Proposed initiatives discussed included the rehabilitation of Murree Road from Flashman to Faizabad and the construction of joint check posts at Adyala Road, Koral Chowk, and Chur Chowk.

Murtaza also highlighted RDA’s efforts to combat illegal housing schemes, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to transparency, modern urban planning, and the timely completion of projects. These initiatives are expected to significantly improve city infrastructure, traffic management, and public services.

Sultan Bajwa commended RDA’s work in addressing civic challenges and accelerating development. He stressed the need for sustainable growth, environmental considerations, and enhanced civic infrastructure to improve the quality of life for Rawalpindi’s residents.

The meeting concluded with directives to speed up project timelines, improve coordination between departments, and ensure that public interest remains at the core of all development activities.

The session was attended by senior RDA officials, including Director Engineering Muhammad Anwar Baran and Director Land Ghazafar Ali Awan.

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Saleha Ali

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has unveiled plans to overhaul Murree Road, a major thoroughfare connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with an estimated investment of Rs. 9 billion.

The project aims to improve road conditions and enhance traffic flow, benefiting thousands of commuters who rely on this key route.

RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza confirmed that the project will focus on two primary initiatives. The first involves the construction of service lanes on both sides of Murree Road, stretching from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk, at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.1 billion.

These lanes will significantly increase traffic capacity and make the road signal-free from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad once completed. A land acquisition survey is underway, with practical work expected to begin after funds are released by the provincial government.

The second initiative, costing Rs. 953 million, focuses on the rehabilitation of Murree Road from Saddar Flashman’s to Faizabad, including resurfacing and re-carpeting of the existing stretch. This upgrade follows the last major repairs, which took place in 2014 after the construction of the Metro Bus elevated track.

The Punjab government has asked RDA and other civic bodies to submit projects aimed at enhancing Rawalpindi’s infrastructure. These efforts are part of a broader development package for the city, which will also focus on improving water supply, sewerage, and civic amenities starting in 2026.

The RDA’s planned upgrades are expected to ease congestion, improve road safety, and present a cleaner, more organised appearance to the city’s visitors and residents alike.

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has completed the process of linking the e-stamp paper system in Islamabad, marking a significant step toward eliminating fraud, deception, and the creation of forged documents in land transactions.

With this system fully operational, the next phase will focus on issuing judicial e-stamp papers, further preventing tampering with land transfers and registry documents.

A recent meeting held at the CDA Headquarters, attended by Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon and ICT Director Rabia Aurangzeb, discussed the progress of the e-stamp system. The meeting was also joined virtually by the PLRA Director General and his team. It was revealed that the software for the e-stamp system has been developed, and formal testing has now begun.

The meeting also reviewed the digitisation efforts within ICT and CDA. Notably, the digitisation of 24 revenue estates has been completed, with plans to finalise the remaining 11 estates soon. Additionally, the scanning of all records in the CDA’s Estate Wing has been completed, and scanning of Building Control records is currently underway. Once completed, these records will be fully digitised.

To enhance accessibility, a mobile application has been developed to enable citizens to access their land records more easily. This initiative is expected to streamline transactions, property transfers, mutations, sales, and purchases, ensuring greater transparency in the system.

The introduction of e-stamp papers will significantly reduce instances of land fraud and unauthorised property transfers, bringing much-needed reform to Islamabad’s real estate sector.

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued revised property valuation rates for 68 localities across the capital, significantly increasing taxable benchmarks for residential, commercial, and rural properties. The new rates take immediate effect and are aimed at aligning declared transaction values with prevailing market prices.

According to SRO 2392, FBR has set the valuation of residential and commercial superstructures at Rs 4,000 per square foot for buildings up to five years old and Rs 3,000 per square foot for older constructions. Rural property valuations will continue under the Islamabad District Collector’s mandate.

Several high-end sectors have seen substantial increases. E-7 has become the most expensive locality with residential plots now valued at Rs 600,000 per square yard. Sectors F-7 and F-6 are each valued at Rs 500,000 per square yard, while F-8 stands at Rs 450,000. Meanwhile, sectors F-10, F-11, and G-6 have been revised to Rs 350,000 per square yard.

Farmhouse valuations have also been updated sharply, with Chak Shahzad reaching Rs 11.2 million per kanal and Gulberg Green rising to Rs 17.55 million per kanal. Commercial plots show some of the steepest adjustments, with D-12 and E-11 now valued at Rs 1 million per square yard, and premium commercial areas in E-7 and F-7 at Rs 2.5 million per square yard.

FBR officials stated that the updated valuation tables are intended to enhance documentation, increase transparency, and ensure more accurate capital gains and withholding tax assessments in Islamabad’s property market.

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Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has officially commenced the long-awaited construction of the N-25 (Pakistan Expressway) in Balochistan, a landmark project aimed at improving connectivity and fostering economic growth in the region. Spanning 800 kilometres, the highway will connect major cities, including Karachi, Quetta, and Chaman, and is expected to significantly reduce travel time between key points in Balochistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who announced the project earlier this year, emphasised its strategic importance for Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area. In a recent meeting, Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted that the expressway would be a transformative step for the province’s socio-economic development, enhancing trade, transportation, and public convenience. Minister Khan also reviewed the progress of other infrastructure projects in Balochistan, including the M-8, which is vital for improving connectivity to the Gwadar Port.

The Karachi-Chaman National Highway, previously known as the “Khooni Road” due to frequent accidents, will be reconstructed in its entirety under the N-25 project. The reconstruction, which has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs300 billion to 350 billion, will reduce travel time from 18 hours to just six hours, vastly improving safety and efficiency along the route.

Additionally, work on the Lyari Expressway in Karachi is also progressing, with Minister Khan ordering the early completion of the remaining sections. This expressway will be developed as a model road, with advanced standards for cleanliness, landscaping, and beautification.

The N-25 expressway is expected to be a four-lane dual carriageway, with completion set for two years. The project is seen as a crucial lifeline for Balochistan’s prosperity and a catalyst for regional development.

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Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit marks an important milestone in the longstanding diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Indonesia, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of their bilateral relations.

A high-level delegation, including key ministers and senior officials accompany President Subianto. During his visit, he will engage in delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and meet with President Asif Ali Zardari. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Defence Forces will also call on the Indonesian president.

The discussions will focus on strengthening Pakistan-Indonesia relations across a range of sectors, including trade, investment, defence, health, information technology, climate, education, and culture. Additionally, the two sides will explore new avenues for regional and global cooperation.

The visit is significant as it is President Subianto’s first trip to Pakistan, following the last Indonesian presidential visit by Joko Widodo in 2018. Several memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed during the visit, further solidifying the collaboration between the two nations.

Pakistan and Indonesia enjoy close, cordial, and longstanding relations, underpinned by shared values and mutual interests. This visit is expected to enhance bilateral cooperation further and pave the way for deeper ties in various fields.

Saleha Ali

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power, Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, has proposed the establishment of a Central Asia-South Asia (CASA) energy market, aimed at fostering closer energy ties between Pakistan and Central Asian countries.

The initiative, inspired by the European energy grid, seeks to enhance the region’s ability to fully harness its renewable and conventional energy resources.

Leghari made the proposal during a meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Minister, Ibrarv Taalaibek Omukeevich, in Islamabad. He highlighted the importance of cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the CASA-1000 power supply project, which promises affordable electricity through seasonal availability. The project’s Pakistani segment is scheduled for completion by mid-2026.

The minister outlined a five-point framework for future energy cooperation, including joint working groups for hydropower projects, collaboration on CASA-1000, and exploring feasibility studies for a Kyrgyz-China transmission project that could involve northern Pakistan. Both sides agreed to increase high-level engagements and hold a joint expert meeting in Bishkek with participants from Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and the World Bank.

In a separate engagement, Leghari met with a Canadian delegation led by High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan. The discussions focused on investment opportunities in Pakistan’s transmission sector, with a specific emphasis on network upgrades and modern technologies. Leghari also highlighted ongoing renewable energy projects, including a solar initiative in Gilgit-Baltistan, as key investment avenues.

Both sides agreed to enhance technical cooperation and share project details to promote Canadian investment in Pakistan’s growing energy sector.

Saleha Ali

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved expansive reforms under the ‘Suthra Punjab’ programme during a high-level review meeting aimed at modernizing the province’s sanitation infrastructure.

The plan includes introducing electric sanitation vehicles, launching a Waste-to-Value initiative, integrating digital transparency systems, and enforcing strict penalties to curb littering. Authorities were directed to roll out the Waste-to-Value implementation plan by mid-January, with officials noting that legal action against littering will follow a 15-day monitoring period.

In a separate development, President PML-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting that approved the Gujranwala Mass Transit Project. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif attended the session.

Nawaz Sharif termed the project a long-overdue right of the people of Gujranwala and expressed satisfaction over the Punjab government’s ongoing development initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has formed a 15-member steering committee to eradicate forced child labour across the province. Chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, with former MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha as Co-Chairman, the committee includes provincial ministers, departmental secretaries, Chairman PITB and DIG Police.

It will map sectors where forced child labour exists, gather data from key industries, and establish an AI- and GIS-enabled central data bank. The committee will also propose alternatives for affected children and develop short-, medium-, and long-term strategies. Punjab’s comprehensive measures are expected to significantly enhance its global ranking in child protection.

Saleha Ali