Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Nowshera: ReNews Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah has emphasized that a greener province is essential to address environmental protection and climate change challenges, as the government launched a large-scale tree plantation campaign on Pakistan Day.
The “Ehsaas Shajar” drive was formally inaugurated in Nowshera, where the chief secretary planted a sapling at the AFU Range located on Azakhel Spin Kani Charat Road. The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including the provincial forest secretary, Deputy Commissioner Nowshera Irfanullah Mehsud, forest authorities, police officials, civil society members, teachers, and students.
Marking Pakistan Day, the campaign set a record target of planting one million saplings across the province in a single day on an official level, with active participation from the public. Plantation activities were carried out simultaneously at 285 locations throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing the ceremony, the chief secretary stated that promoting greenery in the province is crucial for ensuring a safe, prosperous, and sustainable future for Pakistan. He added that Pakistan Day serves as a reminder to renew commitment towards serving the nation with integrity and dedication.
To ensure transparency and effective monitoring, the KP IT Board has established a digital web portal and a central control system, enabling real-time tracking of plantation activities through mobile images and live video feeds. A central control room has also been set up by the forest department to oversee the campaign.
Citizens have been encouraged to actively participate by planting trees in their homes and communities and sharing their contributions through the official portal.
The provincial government has pledged to continue the campaign, with a future target of planting 1.4 million saplings on August 14 to further expand forest cover.
Separately, Deputy Commissioner Nowshera Irfanullah Mehsud also took part in the campaign by planting a sapling at the DC House. He stated that 25,000 saplings have already been distributed across the district among government departments, youth groups, volunteers, and civil society, with additional plantation efforts underway to meet provincial targets.
Officials reiterated that tree planting not only improves environmental conditions but also ensures a safer and healthier future for the coming generations.

Peshawar: ReNews Pakistan
The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is examining a proposal to construct a second ring road in Peshawar to address the growing traffic pressure in the provincial capital.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, where officials reviewed development priorities for the Peshawar region and considered major infrastructure initiatives.
According to officials, the proposed second ring road, also referred to as the Outer Ring Road, is expected to be approximately 31 kilometres long and will primarily cover the southern areas of the city where traffic congestion has significantly increased in recent years.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the project may cost between Rs50 billion and Rs60 billion. The new road is intended to complement the existing ring road network and improve connectivity for commuters while facilitating smoother traffic flow across the city.
Officials also informed the meeting that suitable interchanges would be incorporated into the project to improve accessibility, while coordination with the National Highway Authority is being considered to link the project with major transport corridors, including the Peshawar Bus Terminal.
The chief minister directed relevant departments to conduct a detailed feasibility study and ensure that future urban growth and transportation needs are taken into account during planning.
Authorities believe the proposed ring road will not only help reduce congestion but also promote commercial activity and support the expanding urban landscape of Peshawar.

Peshawar: ReNews Pakistan
The governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Balochistan announced a series of fuel-saving measures aimed at reducing energy consumption amid the global fuel crisis triggered by the US–Israel war on Iran. Under the new directives, authorities decided to temporarily close educational institutions and reduce fuel allowances for official vehicles in order to manage fuel resources and limit transportation needs.
The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa approved a two-month Fuel Conservation and Responsible Governance Initiative, under which the fuel allowance for official vehicles will be reduced by 25 per cent. According to an official handout issued after a provincial cabinet meeting, teaching, academic, and administrative activities in educational institutions across the province will remain suspended during the specified period as part of the conservation plan.
Separately, the Balochistan School Education Department issued a notification stating that all public and private educational institutions in the province will remain closed from March 9 to March 23 as a precautionary step in view of the prevailing regional situation. The notification stated that the measure was taken to ensure administrative preparedness in case of any emergency and to facilitate the public amid possible transportation constraints.
However, the department clarified that ongoing school enrollment campaigns, the digital census of schools, and scheduled examinations will continue according to the prescribed schedule. Authorities have directed relevant officers and staff to ensure that these activities are carried out effectively in line with previously issued instructions.