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Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Peshawar buckles under urban sprawl
Once celebrated as the "City of Flowers", Peshawar now struggles to live up to its poetic title. The air that once carried the sweet scent of blooming apricots and the gentle rustle of orchard leaves now hangs heavy with dust, smoke, and the cacophony of honking horns. A city that was once admired for its natural beauty and cultural richness has descended into chaos, a casualty of unchecked population growth, political apathy, and haphazard urban development. Peshawar's transformation began in earnest during the 1980s, when the Soviet-Afghan war sent a huge influx of refugees across the border into Pakistan. Many of them settled in and around Peshawar, altering the city's demographic landscape. In the following decades, Peshawar became the preferred refuge for internally displaced persons from the tribal belt, who were fleeing military operations, insurgency, and insecurity. Over time, the refugee camps evolved into permanent neighborhoods, and the temporary shelters turned into sprawling, unregulated settlements. The resultant population boom has been relentless. According to the 2023 Digital Census, the population of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reached 40.8 million, up from 35.5 million in 2017: an increase of 5.3 per cent in just six years. While the majority, 34 million, still reside in rural areas, the urban population has swelled dramatically. Peshawar alone grew from 4.3 million in 2017 to 4.7 million in 2023, at an annual growth rate of 1.5 per cent. For Peshawar, the results of this rapid urbanization are visible in every corner. The roads, once adequate for a smaller population, are now choked with vehicles. According to Chief Traffic Officer Haroon Rashid, over 500,000 vehicles ply the city's roads daily. Despite the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in 2020, locals' heavy reliance on illegal rickshaws, unregistered vehicles, and a lack of public discipline continue to worsen road congestion and deteriorate air quality. Dr Rashid Rehman, an urban infrastructure specialist at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, believed the city was facing a systemic failure. "Urban development continues to expand horizontally, devouring agricultural land and pushing the city's boundaries into rural areas. The lack of long-term strategic planning and zoning regulation is responsible for the chaos. High-rise buildings, for instance, could reduce the strain on land and services, but most housing schemes continue to promote large, detached homes. Weak enforcement of building codes has led to the construction of commercial plazas and residential complexes without adequate parking, water supply, or waste disposal systems," highlighted Dr Rehman. K-P's Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Arshad Ayub, acknowledged the city's growing pains but insisted that efforts were being made to improve conditions. "Five new flyovers are under construction and the Ring Road will be expanded to divert traffic from the city center. The upcoming provincial budget includes significant allocations for urban development in Peshawar, including the procurement of new buses for the BRT system and stricter regulations for commercial and residential construction," claimed Ayub. However, critics argued that such projects were reactive rather than proactive. Environmentalists warned that the loss of green spaces was not just a cosmetic issue but a threat to public health and ecological balance. Peshawar has lost many of its parks and orchards to unregulated construction due to which tree cover in the city has declined sharply. The sense of loss is palpable among older residents, who remember a very different city. Haji Tahir Khan, a 60-year-old shopkeeper in Saddar Bazaar, recalled a time when the city was not only cleaner but also more livable. "We had space to breathe, walk, and sit under a tree," he said. "Now, even finding a parking spot is a daily struggle. The roads are full, the air is dirty, and the water is getting scarce. Is this the progress we were promised?"
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab approves region's largest climate observatory
LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved the establishment of region's largest and most advanced climate observatory to assist in timely forecasting, analysis, and policymaking related to climate change. Major decisions were taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb. The meeting was informed that the climate observatory will be set up at the Punjab Planning & Development House while its building will be constructed at Nawaz Sharif IT City. The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore has already submitted a comprehensive report regarding the establishment of the observatory. A feasibility plan has been prepared for the provision of budget, equipment, and land. The observatory will be equipped with a state-of-the-art automated communication and linkage system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM Punjab approves largest climate observatory to tackle climate change
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the establishment of the region's largest and most advanced Climate Observatory, marking a major step in the province's efforts to address climate change. A state-of-the-art scientific center will also be established as part of the initiative to enhance environmental data analysis and support evidence-based policymaking. The approval came during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab's Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. The meeting reviewed and endorsed the feasibility plan covering budget allocation, procurement of equipment, and land acquisition for the observatory. The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore presented its report on the project's technical aspects. According to the official briefing, the observatory will be housed within the Punjab Planning and Development complex, while its primary structure will be constructed at the EICT (Environment and Information Communication Technology) site. The facility will be equipped with an automated communication and linkage system, in addition to a GIS lab, sectoral interface systems, and a modern data hub. Advanced MRI-based systems will be employed for data processing and climate analysis. A specialized internship program will be launched to train environmental experts across various sectors. The observatory will also include a data archiving system, a coordination unit, and an international communication cell to foster collaboration with global climate networks. Officials emphasized that the institution will be managed under a modern governance model, and recruitment of internationally qualified professional staff is already under consideration. Senior Minister Aurangzeb also directed the development of a smart organizational structure for efficient operations. Briefing participants, experts noted that the Climate Observatory will play a critical role in forecasting climate threats, conducting real-time analysis, and supporting timely decision-making. It will significantly contribute to advancing scientific research and enable effective information exchange at the international level. Commenting on the initiative, Marriyum Aurangzeb said, 'Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has presented a comprehensive plan to tackle the threats posed by climate change. The establishment of this observatory marks a transformative milestone in Punjab's environmental protection efforts.' Climate observatories are specialized facilities equipped with modern tools to monitor atmospheric and environmental changes. Experts use real-time data to detect potential threats and issue early warnings—vital for policy response and disaster preparedness.
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz relaunches laptop scheme after eight years
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday relaunched the province's flagship laptop distribution scheme after an eight-year gap, announcing the first-ever distribution of 13th-generation Core i7 laptops to students. The revival of the scheme marks a major initiative under the new provincial government, with the first phase officially inaugurated by CM Maryam Nawaz at the historic University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, according to a statement issued from the Chief Minister's office. Punjab govt launches Ration Card Program worth Rs40b 5,000 laptops for students from other provinces The statement added that in line with CM Maryam's directive, the laptop scheme has been extended beyond Punjab to include students from other provinces and regions across the country. It stated that a total of 5,000 laptops will be distributed to students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. 'Among these, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will receive the highest share with 3,136 laptops, followed by Balochistan with 938, Azad Jammu & Kashmir with 517, and Gilgit-Baltistan with 410 laptops,' the statemtn said, adding that an online portal has been launched to facilitate applications from students in these regions to streamline the process. 'Hunarmand Scholarship Phase-II' launched In addition to the laptop scheme, the chief minister also announced the launch of Phase II of the 'Hunarmand Scholarship' program. Under this phase, 20,000 scholarships will be awarded to deserving students enrolled from the third to the eighth semester and those pursuing degrees lasting two to five years, the statement said. 'This initiative is aimed at promoting merit-based support for talented youth and increasing access to digital and educational resources across Pakistan,' it added.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Punjab relaunches laptop scheme after eight-year hiatus
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has relaunched the provincial government's student laptop scheme after an eight-year hiatus, announcing the distribution of high-performance 13th-generation Core i7 laptops to top-performing students across the country, Express News reported. At a ceremony held at Lahore's historic University of Engineering and Technology (UET), the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the first phase of the scheme by distributing laptops and sitting among students rather than on the stage. She also launched Phase II of the 'Honahar Scholarship' initiative, which will provide financial aid to thousands of students. According to officials, an online portal has been opened for students from other provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Punjab will receive the largest share, but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will receive 3,136 laptops, followed by Balochistan with 938, AJK with 517, and Gilgit-Baltistan with 410. As part of the Honahar Scholarship Phase II, students from second to fifth year or third to eighth semesters will be awarded PKR 20,000 each. In Lahore Division alone, over 3,121 students from 27 public colleges, six medical colleges, and several universities will benefit from scholarships worth over PKR 120 million. Additionally, a total of 14,000 students in Lahore Division will receive laptops under the scheme. These will be distributed across 13 public universities, six medical colleges, and 27 higher education institutions. In a show of honour, a ceremonial guard of honour was presented to students at the event, where the Higher Education Department also screened a special documentary on the laptop scheme and scholarships. UET students performed patriotic songs to mark the occasion. 'When Pakistan's youth say 'Qadam Qadam Abaad Rahe,' then Inshallah, this land shall forever thrive,' Maryam Nawaz said during her address.
