Peshawar  –  On the special directives of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, KP Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan paid a detailed visit to Haripur to review the progress of key ongoing irrigation projects, including the under-construction Chapra Dam and Daur Right Bank Canal.

During the visit, the minister conducted a comprehensive inspection of the construction activities at both projects. Expressing serious concern over the slow pace of work, he directed the concerned officials to accelerate construction activities and ensure the timely completion of the projects in the larger public interest.

Member of the Provincial Assembly Akbar Ayub, Director General Small Dams, Superintending Engineer (SE), Executive Engineer (XEN), and other senior officials of the Irrigation Department accompanied the minister during the visit.

At Chapra Dam, the minister thoroughly inspected various components of the project. The relevant authorities briefed him in detail on the project’s construction progress, hydrology, spillway, and outlet works.

Speaking on the occasion, Riaz Khan said that Chapra Dam is a project of immense importance for the people of Haripur and will significantly contribute to the promotion of agriculture and sustainable water management in the region. He made it clear that no negligence or unnecessary delay in the execution of the project would be tolerated.

The minister directed the concerned authorities to complete the Chapra Dam on priority basis while ensuring that the highest standards of construction quality are maintained without any compromise.

Later, the minister visited the Daur Right Bank Canal, where he inspected the under-construction canal. Officials of the Irrigation Department briefed him on the progress of the project .

Issuing necessary directions to the officials on-site, Riaz Khan emphasized that transparency, quality, and adherence to engineering standards must be ensured throughout the construction process.

He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, the current  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is fully committed to providing essential public services, promoting good governance, and ensuring the timely completion of development projects through the effective utilization of all available resources.

The minister concluded by saying  that projects such as Chapra Dam and the Daur Right Bank Canal are vital for the economic development and prosperity of Haripur, and their timely completion remains one of the foremost priorities of the provincial government.

Timergara  –  The Timergara Traders’ Association on Wednesday warned of a division-wide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike if the government proceeds with its proposed plan to impose taxes in Malakand Division.

Association president Haji Anwaruddin issued the warning while addressing the inaugural session of “Awam Ki Pukar” (The Voice of the People), a public forum launched by the District Press Club Timergara to highlight citizens’ issues and convey them to the relevant authorities. Traders’ leaders Syed Nasir Shah and Zahir Shah also attended the event.

Anwaruddin said representatives of the traders, other stakeholders and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister were scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss the constitutional status of Malakand Division, the proposed taxation measures and the concerns of the business community. He expressed hope that the talks would lead to an outcome acceptable to the public but warned that traders would have no option but to launch an unprecedented strike across the division if the issue remained unresolved.

He said Malakand Division remained one of the country’s economically underdeveloped regions, with limited industrial and commercial activity. According to him, the local economy depended largely on remittances from overseas Pakistanis, particularly those working in the Gulf, and imposing new taxes under such circumstances would place an additional financial burden on traders and residents.

Referring to the region’s history, Anwaruddin said Malakand Division had suffered severe economic setbacks due to terrorism, military operations, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Instead of extending economic relief, he said, the government was seeking to bring the region into the tax net.

He further argued that the 25th Constitutional Amendment and the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) had adversely affected Malakand Division’s historical constitutional and financial privileges despite its distinct constitutional status. He also criticised elected representatives for failing to effectively present the region’s case in legislative forums.

The traders’ leader said the business community had consistently supported the national economy and cooperated with state institutions. However, he urged the government to take into account the region’s economic conditions, widespread unemployment and commercial challenges before enforcing any new taxation measures. He warned that traders, together with other stakeholders and members of the public, would launch a protest movement if their demands were ignored.

Anwaruddin also congratulated District Press Club Timergara President Haleem Asad and the club’s office-bearers on launching the “Awam Ki Pukar” programme. He described the initiative as a valuable platform for highlighting public issues and expressed hope that it would strengthen communication between citizens and government institutions and help resolve local problems.

Peshawar  –  Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday stressed the need for collective efforts to eliminate militancy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying peace was essential for the development and prosperity of the province.

Talking to a delegation of the South Waziristan Lower Ahmadzai Wazir Jirga here at Governor House, led by Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Waziristan General Secretary Imran Mukhlis, Governor said the resurgence of militancy should be taken seriously and tackled with unity and determination. The delegation included Jamal Nasir, Nasrullah, Mir Ghulam and Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Farzand Wazir.

Governor Kundi said the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) was promised three percent share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, amounting to around Rs100 billion annually, and stressed that the commitment should be fulfilled.

He strongly condemned the imposition of taxes in the erstwhile FATA and PATA, saying the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman should personally visit these areas to assess the ground realities before enforcing any taxation measures.

The Governor criticized the provincial government’s performance on law and order, alleging that it had failed to address the deteriorating security situation. He said he had asked the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to jointly resolve the tax issues relating to the merged tribal districts.

He said despite producing electricity, oil and natural gas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to face energy shortages, adding that the province should receive its due rights under the Constitution. He also underscored the importance of protecting the 18th Constitutional Amendment and utilizing provincial powers for the welfare of the people.

Governor Kundi also expressed concern over the reported wheat shortage in the province and reiterated the need to collectively struggle for the constitutional and economic rights of the province. He assured the delegation that issues relating to district administration, the Gomal Zam Road and NADRA facilities would be taken up with the relevant authorities and resolved on priority.

Speaking on the occasion, members of the jirga highlighted worsening law and order, lack of security for schools and health facilities, rising incidents of extortion and the destruction of trade and fruit businesses in South Waziristan Lower. They urged the government to reopen the Angoor Ada border crossing, which has been remained closed since 2023, saying it would revive trade and economic activity in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and South Waziristan.

The delegation also demanded the establishment of a women’s hospital, tax relief for local residents, provision of free electricity, increase in teachers’ posts, construction of the Gomal Zam Road up to Angoor Ada, promotion of tourism in Waziristan, development of a picnic point at Gomal Zam and establishment of BISP and NADRA registration centres in every tehsil.

The jirga members also called to address the problems being faced by journalists associated with the Wana Press Club.

• Committee headed by CS also recommends action against Civil Defence, fire department officers and building management committee
• Suggests amendments to building control law to allow post-construction inspections

KARACHI: The Implementation Committee constituted by the Sindh government has recommended disciplinary and legal action against officials of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) who served between 2020 and the date of the incident in January 2026 when the deadly Gul Plaza fire broke out.

The committee held them responsible for alleged failures in inspection, enforcement and regulatory oversight, including the approval of a revised building plan and its subsequent regularisation.

It also proposed amendments to the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979, to empower the SBCA to carry out mandatory post-construction inspections and enforce compliance after completion of buildings.

The recommendations were made at a recent meeting of the committee held under the chairmanship of Sindh chief secretary.

According to the minutes, the committee recommended that action was initiated against the nominated SBCA officials identified through the findings of the three-tier task force constituted under the orders of the Sindh High Court in Constitutional Petition No. 1 of 2017 and the District South Technical Committee for Fire Safety Audit.

The proposed actions will be taken against officials responsible for inspection, enforcement and regulatory functions, as well as those who approved the revised building plan and later regularised the building despite the alleged violations.

The committee also recommended amending the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979, to empower the SBCA to undertake post-construction inspections and ensure continued compliance with approved plans, fire safety standards and other applicable regulations.

It further proposed a periodic inspection regime involving the SBCA, Rescue 1122, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Civil Defence, Cantonment Boards and other relevant agencies for high-rise and commercial buildings, while emphasizing safeguards to prevent misuse of inspection powers.

The committee was informed that, based on findings of the three-tier task force, action had been proposed against SBCA officials who served between 2020 and the date of the incident.

The committee stressed strict enforcement of the Sindh Local Government Act, 2013, strengthening the Fire Department through specialised training, implementation of pending fire audit recommendations, making the Mauripur Fire Station operational and filling long-vacant posts, including those of firemen and drivers.

It recommended disciplinary and legal proceedings against fire department officials over shortcomings in preparedness, delayed response and rescue operations, as well as against departmental representatives who served on inspection and fire safety committees since 2020.

The committee also [proposed](https://he committee also proposed action against Station Officer Zaheer Siddiqui for allegedly issuing a fire safety certificate on March 20, 2024,) action against Station Officer Zaheer Siddiqui for allegedly issuing a fire safety certificate on March 20, 2024, without the requisite approval, and recommended fixing responsibility for failure to ensure compliance with deficiencies identified in the 2021 fire safety audit.

The committee further called for an inquiry into the extension of the building’s lease and reduction in lease rates approved in 1991 by the then mayor to determine whether the decision was legally competent and whether the period between 1983 and 1991 could lawfully be condoned.

The meeting endorsed the recommendation of the Cabinet Sub-Committee to transfer the peacetime functions of Civil Defence to Rescue 1122 to strengthen emergency response and public safety.

It also recommended strengthening Rescue 1122 under the Sindh Rescue Services Act, 2023, and proposed fixing responsibility on concerned Rescue 1122 officials for failure to discharge rescue-support and coordination responsibilities, besides initiating proceedings against committee members serving since 2023.

The committee recommended action against Civil Defence officers Fatima Memon and Mirza Mursaleen Baig for allegedly issuing dubious inspection memos during 2024 and 2025, besides proceedings against the Director of Civil Defence for supervisory failures.

It also proposed action against Civil Defence members who served on inspection committees since 2020 and highlighted negligence on the part of the Deputy Commissioner of South, in his capacity as Controller Civil Defence and Convener of the District South Technical Committee for Fire Safety Audit, along with the concerned assistant and additional deputy commissioners for inadequate supervision and follow-up of fire safety inspections.

The committee also recommended registration of the building’s Management Committee under the Sindh Condominium Act, 2014, and directed the DG SBCA to ensure compliance with fire safety and maintenance requirements.

It called for a detailed inquiry into the affairs of the unregistered management committee, particularly regarding the utilisation of maintenance funds despite persistent safety deficiencies.

The minutes further proposed fixing criminal liability on the president, owners and other members of the management committee for deficiencies identified in the forensic report, including inadequate firefighting equipment, lack of water availability, blocked emergency exits, encroachments obstructing passageways and the procurement of what the committee described as a dubious and questionable fire safety certificate dated March 20, 2024.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2026

• FRLD board defers funding decisions till December, receives 176 requests from 119 states
• Pakistan submits three proposals on agriculture, health, flash flood losses
• Civil society concerned over ‘lack of transparency’, red tape

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and other climate-vulnerable countries will have to wait longer for disbursements from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) after its board decided to allow more time to assess an overwhelming number of funding proposals amid limited financial resources.

The ninth meeting of the FRLD Board, held in Manila from July 8 to 10, ended without making any significant headway — a development that drew criticism from civil society groups, which said the Fund was failing vulnerable communities increasingly expo­sed to climate-related disasters.

The Fund was established at COP27 in Egypt in 2022. A decision to operationalise it was taken at COP28 in Dubai, followed by its full operationalisation at COP29 in Azerb­aijan. With nearly $500m in its account, the Fund launched its first call for proposals at COP30 in Brazil.

The call resulted in 176 funding requests from 119 developing countries, with a combined funding demand of $2.8 billion — more than 11 times the $250 million allocated for disbursement, according to the Fill the Fund civil society group. The average amount requested per proposal is about $15.9m, ranging from $5m to $20m, according to an FRLD document.

At the Manila meeting, the board had been expected to consider proposals from Haiti, Jamaica, Nigeria and Ivory Coast to determine their funding requests and establish procedures for future grants. However, the decision has now been deferred until December 2026 because a large number of proposals have yet to be reviewed.

Civil society activist and Fill the Fund campaign member Harjeet Singh said the four proposals alone accounted for about 30 per cent of the initial $250m allocation. The board, he said, was “hesitant to give away such an amount of money without looking at the full basket of proposals”.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the board had intended to review and approve the four proposals to streamline its approval and disbursement procedures. However, a final decision was deferred because the vast majority of the 176 submissions had not yet undergone review.

“June 15 was the deadline for submissions, and on that day alone the board received almost 100 requests,” said Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Pakistan’s rep­r­e­sentative on the FRLD Board.

At present, only a handful of proposals have undergone an initial review, he said, adding that the board hopes to assess about two-thirds of the proposals by December before beginning disbursements. He said it was expected that around a dozen funding requests would be approved at the 10th board meeting, particularly if an additional $100m was added to the funding pool.

The projects will be approved under the two-year pilot phase, known as the Barbados Implementation Mechanism (BIM), for which $250m has been allocated.

However, less than $500m has actually been received by the Fund to date, according to Brandon Wu, who oversees policy and campaigns at ActionAid USA.

In a statement, the Fill the Fund campaign said the $342m “now allocated to the BIM will still only

cover 12pc of the $2.8bn requested, funding at most approximately 22 funding requests at an average of $15m per request”.

Three Pakistani proposals

Pakistan, which frequently experiences devastating floods and heatwaves, has also submitted three proposals to the FRLD. Official sources told Dawn that one proposal had completed peer review and the country had received encouraging feedback, while comments on a second proposal for climate-resilient health systems in Balochistan were still awaited.

According to FRLD documents, Pakistan’s three-year projects include Responding to Unavoidable Climate Impacts through Recovery and Systems Strengthening, which seeks $20m through its implementing partner, UNDP.

Another proposal, Climate-Resilient Health Systems for Vulnerable Communities in Pakistan — a Balochistan-focused project, according to sources — seeks an $18m grant through the WHO.

The third proposal, which does not list an implementing partner, but seeks $20m for the Compensation and Rehabilitation of Private Fish Farms and Public Sector Fish Hatcheries Damaged in the Recent Rounds of Flash Floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sources acknowledged the funding constraints facing both the board and the FRLD Secretariat but expressed hope that Pakistan would secure funding for at least one of the three projects.

Meanwhile, civil society groups criticised the board on several fronts beyond the delay in approving funding.

Fill the Fund campaign said the crucial Resource Mobilisation Strategy had been deferred until December, leaving the Fund without a clear timeline or targets to mobilise the estimated $400 billion required annually. It also said unresolved issues related to the World Bank’s hosting arrangements continued to hamper the Fund’s ability to operate efficiently and disburse money quickly to frontline communities — problems that one board member described as “teething problems”.

The campaign further criticised restrictions on observer participation, saying its members had been excluded from several closed-door sessions during the board meeting.

In a comment, Singh said the board “must urgently break free from institutional roadblocks and immediately mobilise the hundreds of billions of dollars”; otherwise, it would remain “nothing more than an empty, broken promise”.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2026