MANSEHRA: Hazara Commissioner Abid Ali Khan has asked people to extend their help to the government to protect forests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“If we want to give healthy and pollution-free environment to our coming generations then we should help government in its sincere efforts to curb timber smuggling and control deforestation,” he told the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of Hazara Guzara Owners Association, a representative body of forest owners, here on Wednesday.

The commissioner said that government had finalised a comprehensive forest policy after consultations with all stakeholders including the district and divisional administrations to protect forests and curb timber smuggling.

“Nobody is above the law. Because of the steps taken by administration in Hazara timber smuggling has come to zero as we want nothing but protection of our forests at any cost,” he said.

Mr Khan said that timber smugglers were using not only roads but also the Indus River, however, all such routes were plugged by forest department, police and other stakeholders.

Hazara commissioner says routes of timber smugglers plugged

The commissioner said that Hazara was rich in natural resources including forests. Preservation of those resources was collective responsibility of the government and people, he added.

Earlier, the commissioner administered oath to newly elected office-bearers of Hazara Guzara Owners Association. Shahzada Gustasip Khan was elected president and Munzor Hussain Shah secretary general of the association.

INDEPENDENCE DAY: The district administration has finalised various programmes in connection with Independence Day on August 14.

In this connection a meeting was held with Assistant Commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan in chair on Tuesday that was attended by officials of municipal committee, district council, education, health, and forest and sports departments.

The meeting decided that all public departments would organise functions in connection with Independence Day. The main function would be held at Thakra Stadium.

Dr Qasim also asked chief municipal officers of Mansehra, Balakot and Oghi to display banners inscribed with patriotic slogans and sentences at prominent places in their respective cities.

He said that it was the prime responsibility of the government departments to create sense of patriotism among people. He said that schools and colleges should be involved in such activities.

WATER SHORTAGE: The municipal committee has held Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) responsible for the water shortage in city and its suburbs.

“We have informed Pesco and district administration about shortage of water in the city owing to prolonged power outage and low voltage,” Shafiqur Rehman, head of water and sanitation department of municipal committee, told a press conference here on Wednesday.

He said that because of power outages and low voltage water pumps could not be run resultantly water could not be supplied to consumers in the city.

Mr Rehman said that municipal committee had already deposited money for installation of more than 20 high voltage electric transformers some six months ago but despite that the transformers were not installed.

Published in Dawn, July 17th , 2014