Forest department foils illegal timber smuggling on Hazara motorway

On special directives of Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Forests, Environment, Wildlife, and Climate Change, Pir Musavir Khan, the Forest Department is actively cracking down on illegal timber smuggling across the province. In this regard, the Lower Hazara Patrol Squad of forest department in a joint operation with the Motorway Police, seized illegal Chir timber from two trucks on the Hazara Motorway and took it into government custody.

According to details, Forest Department officials recovered 270 cubic feet of timber from a truck near the Mansehra Rest Area and another 380 cubic feet near the Abbottabad Tunnel. Five accused including two drivers, were arrested on the spot. A case has been registered against them under the Forest Ordinance 2002, and legal proceedings have been initiated. The recovered timber and both trucks have been shifted to the Goharabad Depot.

Special Assistant on Forests Pir Musavir Khan, praising the successful operation, announced that commendation certificates would soon be awarded to the officials, He emphasized that forests are a national asset, and their protection is a collective responsibility. He directed Forest Department officers to continue such operations consistently to ensure the safeguarding of natural resources.

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