Overview
- The Supreme Court, which ruled Monday, July 6, 2026, dismissed all civil appeals by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and upheld awards from the Reference Court and the Peshawar High Court in the Swabi canal case.
- The court held that compensation cannot rely solely on government‑notified rates and must reflect true market value so landowners receive full financial redress.
- Judges directed tribunals to factor in a property's future development potential and concrete location features such as proximity to highways, industrial zones, transport links and civic amenities when valuing land.
- The judgment ordered courts to adjust awards for inflation and price appreciation when acquisition proceedings are delayed so owners are not paid at outdated values.
- The decision strengthens appellate review as a remedy for patent valuation errors and could raise project budgets, speed up acquisition timelines and improve payouts to affected families.