Peshawar (Khyber Mail): The Oxford Policy Management’s Sub-National Governance (SNG) Programme hosted a significant symposium in Peshawar, focusing on sustainable urban development through land-use reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The event, titled “Promoting Sustainable Urban Development: Lessons Learned from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Land-Use Reforms,” gathered a distinguished group of policymakers, local government officials, urban planning experts, and civil society representatives.
The symposium highlighted the pioneering KP Land Use & Building Control (LU&BC) Act, a legislative achievement aimed at preventing illegal construction, preserving agricultural lands, and fostering organized urban expansion.
As the first province in Pakistan to enact such legislation, KP set clear guidelines for residential, agricultural, and industrial land use.
Dr. Raheal A. Siddiqui, Program Team Leader for SNG, opened the event by emphasizing the role of the KP government’s LU&BC Act in curtailing haphazard urban growth and prioritizing sustainability.
Developed with technical support from the FCDO-funded SNG Programme, this legislation marks a significant step towards establishing a well-defined legal framework for urban planning across KP.
Hon’ble Minister for Local Government, Elections, and Rural Development (LGERDD), Mr. Arshad Ayub Khan, delivered a keynote address applauding the proactive steps taken by the KP government to address urbanization challenges.
“The KP LU&BC Act reflects our commitment to creating sustainable urban spaces that balance development with environmental conservation,” he noted, thanking the FCDO and SNG Programme for their support.
Nadir Rana, Special Secretary (Establishment), LGERDD, emphasized that the Government of KP has pioneered various interconnected components of the Land-Reforms regime, including the KP Urban Policy, LU&BC Act, and the KP Housing Policy.
Panel discussions followed, featuring experts such as Muhammad Zubair Asghar Qureshi, Director General of the Provincial Services Academy; Hifzur Rehman, Member of the KP Land Use Council; Dr. Shaker Mehmood from UET Lahore; Dr. Abdul Majid from the University of Haripur; and Ms. Aimen Iftikhar, District Architect from TMA Swabi. Moderated by Dr. Raheal Siddiqui, the panel explored the operational successes of district-level Land Use Planning Committees and the role of local enforcement units.
The symposium showcased the early achievements of KP’s LU&BC implementation. Supported by SNG’s technical assistance, district administrations have taken proactive roles in land use, with regular committee meetings, compliance inspections, and structured reporting.
Dr. Vaqar Ahmed, Senior Governance Advisor for SNG, noted, “The adoption and implementation of the LU&BC Act across districts mark a significant milestone for KP’s local governments, fostering urban planning practices that protect resources and benefit communities.”
As KP looks to expand and replicate these best practices province-wide, the symposium provided a unique opportunity for stakeholders to exchange insights, address challenges, and strengthen collaborations for future land-use reforms.
The SNG Programme remains committed to supporting KP’s journey towards sustainable urban development and empowering local governments to drive meaningful change in land use planning and building control.
The event was also attended by students from the University of Haripur and the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) Peshawar, who actively participated and engaged with the panelists on land use reforms.