BAHAWALPUR, Dec 9: The committee set up to probe the alleged disappearance/theft of deer from the Lal Sohanra National Park, about 35km from here, is expected to begin its work within a few days.

Talking to Dawn by phone from Lal Sohanra on Monday, District Forest Officer Jawad Shah said there was no truth in some press reports that 284 deer had been stolen from the park.

Shah, who took over recently, said an assistant director of the department had submitted him a report suggesting counting of the deer. He accordingly formed a committee to ascertain the exact population of the deer in two enclosures of the park which were spread over several kilometres.

He said the counting in the light of the department record was a major task and could take time. — Correspondent