MARDAN, October 19, 2026: Commissioner Mardan Division Syed Muhammad Ali Shah has announced a three-month target for completing development schemes that have already achieved 90 percent progress, while outlining measures to improve healthcare, address traffic congestion and remove illegal encroachments across the district.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Mardan Press Club on Monday, the commissioner said the administration would prioritise unfinished development projects to ensure that residents benefit from public investment without further delays.
“Public service is our mission. We are public servants, and serving the people is our responsibility. We will ensure that incomplete development schemes are completed at the earliest so that people can benefit from them,” he said.
Shah said efforts would be made to complete all ongoing development schemes in Mardan district that had reached 90 percent completion within the next three months.
He stressed that improving public services and resolving longstanding civic problems remained key priorities of the divisional administration.
Mardan schools, hospitals to receive administrative attention
The commissioner said a meeting had been convened to review the condition of deteriorating school buildings and identify measures needed to address infrastructure problems in educational institutions.
He added that ongoing development projects would be completed on a priority basis, with particular attention to facilities directly affecting residents.
Shah also said the administration was working to improve conditions at hospitals and address traffic management problems in Mardan city.
Illegal bus stands to be shifted to new terminal
Addressing traffic congestion, the commissioner announced plans to establish a committee responsible for relocating illegal bus stands to the newly constructed bus terminal.
The committee will be headed by the Mardan deputy commissioner and include the district police officer and officials from the transport department.
According to Shah, shifting unauthorised bus stands to the designated terminal would help reduce traffic congestion and allow passengers to use the modern facilities available at the new transport facility.
He said coordination among the district administration, police and transport authorities would be necessary to implement the relocation.
Action against encroachments without harming livelihoods
The commissioner reiterated the administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards permanent illegal encroachments but emphasised that enforcement measures should also consider the livelihoods of affected individuals.
He said the authorities would seek a practical solution that addresses encroachments without unnecessarily depriving people of their sources of income.
Shah maintained that restoring public spaces and improving traffic flow should be pursued alongside measures to protect legitimate economic activity.
Commissioner urges media to highlight public grievances
During his interaction with journalists, Shah called on the media to identify public grievances, shortcomings in government services and administrative issues requiring attention.
He assured journalists that the administration would take prompt action on matters brought to its notice.
The commissioner said cooperation between the media and public institutions could help improve accountability and ensure that citizens’ concerns reached the relevant authorities.
Earlier, Mardan Press Club President Lutfullah Lutf and other office-bearers welcomed the commissioner on his arrival.
At the conclusion of the visit, press club representatives presented a commemorative shield to Shah.