Rail feasibility cleared to boost mobility

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has approved the initial feasibility study for the Peshawar-Nowshera-Jahangira railway section and sanctioned the release of Rs13.162 million for the purpose. He described the project as vital for improving the province's transportation system and strengthening regional connectivity. Chief Minister presided over the 20th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Urban Mobility Authority on Friday. The meeting reviewed important matters concerning the improvement of the province's urban transport system, sustainable solutions to traffic problems, and the promotion of modern communication facilities. Senior officials briefed the board on ongoing projects and the future roadmap, while various proposals were presented to develop an efficient and modern urban transport network. Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to complete the initial feasibility exercise promptly and in accordance with international standards. The board also granted permission to the K-P Urban Mobility Authority to sign a consultancy agreement with the Pakistan-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences. The move aims to benefit from modern technical expertise and international best practices. The Chief Minister approved the terms and conditions of the project, along with the budget and other related expenditures. Afridi further directed that the initial feasibility study for the Peshawar-Torkham railway project be completed on a fast-track basis. He emphasised that the project would play a crucial role not only in promoting regional trade but also in enhancing cross-border linkages. The Chief Minister instructed the Urban Mobility Authority to work seriously on modern, practical proposals to address the growing traffic issues in the province and improve intra-city as well as inter-district connectivity. The goal, he said, is to provide better travel facilities to the public and align the urban transport system with contemporary requirements. Separately, Chief Minister Afridi, addressing a Lawyers' Jirga held in Peshawar, stated that the proposal to convene the Jirga had emanated from judges of the honourable judiciary with the objective of enabling a structured and lawful response to an unconstitutional and irregular governance environment where human rights and the justice system is suffocating with every passing day. Addressing the legal fraternity, the Chief Minister underscored that the lawyers' community possesses the resolve, capacity, and institutional standing to uphold constitutional order.