PESHAWAR: A major timber scam unearthed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has exposed large-scale irregularities in forest operations. Authorities have seized 2.3 million cubic feet of illegally felled wood worth Rs1.7 billion.
According to official reports, 140 officers and staff members have been implicated. Show cause notices have been issued, and charge sheets are being prepared. Several cases have already been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Anti-Corruption Department for further investigation.
The Forestry Planning and Monitoring Circle (FP&MC) in Peshawar revealed that the timber was seized mainly from Allai tehsil in Battagram and other parts of the province. The report noted that the figure could increase as monitoring of three additional compounds is still in progress.
The monitoring, ordered by the provincial cabinet, covered multiple areas, including woodlots, working plans, Forest Development Fund (FDF) schemes, and policies for dry standing and windfallen trees. It found serious violations in a large number of cases.
Out of 370 inspected cases, 168 were cleared, 91 carried minor discrepancies, while 111 showed major irregularities. In volume terms, 4.39 million cubic feet was cleared, 1.545 million cubic feet was allowed after minor corrections, and 2.361 million cubic feet was seized due to serious violations.
The highest irregularities were found in woodlots, where 178 cases were reviewed and 64 carried major violations. Similarly, 25 major irregularities were detected in working plans and 22 under the dry standing and windfallen trees policy.
The report concluded that the seized timber came from cases where officials failed to follow marking standards, ignored approved plans, or facilitated illegal logging.
The Forest Department has started proceedings under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules 2011. Legal action is also underway against those found responsible.
This timber scam unearthed after monitoring resumed in 2024, following a three-year suspension. Government officials say the crackdown will help curb the timber mafia. However, experts warn that without strict accountability, the province’s forest cover will remain under threat.
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