Illegal Logging Cases Registered as Authorities Seize Timber, Arrest Suspects
CHITRAL: The forest department has intensified its crackdown on timber smugglers in Lower Dir and Chitral to curb illegal logging and protect fragile ecosystems. Officials confirmed that joint teams in Lower Dir registered 50 cases, seized 977 cubic feet of timber, and imposed fines amounting to Rs885,000, while courts awarded penalties of over Rs3.3 million against offenders.
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In Chitral, divisional forest officer Asif Ali Shah said the zero‑tolerance policy against timber smuggling has led to the registration of 23 criminal cases, arrest of nine suspects, and recovery of Rs1.128 million in fines. Authorities also issued arrest warrants under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) for 10 chronic violators.
Zero‑Tolerance Policy Targets Timber Smugglers to Protect Ecosystems
Officials warned that deforestation is accelerating the impacts of climate change, leaving the mountainous region vulnerable to flash floods and land erosion. The forest department vowed to continue strict enforcement to safeguard local ecosystems and expand forest cover.
