Hazara Police in action against timber mafia has seized 20,000 square feet timber in district Kohistan and has sought the referring of cases of timber smugglers to National Accountability Bureau (NAB). This was told by Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Hazara Range, Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapore while speaking at a meeting held at Commissioner House, Abbottabad with Commissioner, Hazara, Abid Ali Khan in the chair. The meeting of the Department of Environment was attended by the officers of forests and police.
The meeting reviewed more effective measures for the prevention of timber smuggling in Hazara Division and decided that a divisional meeting of all Deputy Commissioners, Police Officers, chief conservator forests and conservator forests to prepare effective strategy against timber smuggling soon.
He further said that Hazara Police had registered FIRs against 12 timber smugglers and had sent the cases to administration for registration against them under three MPO and expelled them from the district. Akhtar Hayat Gandapore said that with the co-operation of administration they would soon hold strong action against timber mafia to purge them from the whole division. He assured the Commissioner, Hazara and Additional Secretary Environment for continuing full co-operation with administration in the prevention of timber smuggling.
Meanwhile, addressing a local Jirga of the local notables and political leaders in Battagram, Commissioner Hazara Division Abid Ali Khan said that merciless cutting and timber smuggling would not be allowed in any circumstance. He said the protection of the rights of people would not be ignored; saying besides taking measures for the protection of forests the reservations of the forest owners of Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan would be removed.
He also sought the serious and complete co-operation of the local elders, political leaders, government departments, police and general public to the administration for the fulfilment of this national duty. The members of the Jirga briefed the commissioner in detail on the problems of the people of Battagram and thanked him for coming to their area for the resolution of their problems. Those present on the occasion were included Members Provincial Assembly Nawabzada Wali Mohammad, Shah Hussein, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Battagram, Captain (Retd), Mian Adil Iqbal, District Police Officer (DPO) and Assistant Commissioners (ACs).
Talking about the problems of Battagram, Abid Ali Khan said that efforts were being taken for the handing over of construction work on Thakoht-Mansehra Road via Darband to National High Authority (NHA). He also assured review of the proposal for construction of by-pass road from Battagram Bazaar, removal of encroachments, appointment of doctors in District Headquarters Hospital, posting of local teachers and the completion of the 341 incomplete schemes of Erra through the provincial department of Communication and Works.
The Divisional Commissioner also expressed concern over the lack of provision of electricity meters to consumers in Battagram and said the situation was encouraging power pilferage. He said the matter would be taken up with Wapda authority to search out solution of the problem. On a complaint, the commissioner also ordered probe into irregularities in the funds allocated for Pashora Canal, Battagram.
