K-P defends billion tree tsunami project

'Irregularities only surfaced after govt rejected opposition leader’s attempts to protect officials involved'

PESHAWAR: The provincial government on Sunday defended its flagship Billion Tree Tsunami (BTT) project, stating that they were ready to take anyone for site visits who is questioning it.

However, the government also suggested that the matter had gained prominence after attempts by an opposition member to protect certain officials involved in the alleged irregularities were rebuffed.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Forest Minister Ishtiaq Umar on Sunday claimed that after irregularities emerged in the billion tree tsunami project initiated by the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led provincial government, former provincial chief minister Akram Khan Durrani had allegedly contacted him and requested that action should not be taken against some of the officials arrested in the case. However, Umar stated that he had rejected Durrani’s demands.

He further said that the government was investigating irregularities in the project and suggested that the case could be referred to the apex anti-corruption watchdog, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after all evidence had been collected.

The forests minister added they were ready to defend billion tree tsunami project at all forums and that they were ready to take anybody for a site visit to the forests which had been targeted under the project.

“The opposition’s irritation stems from investigations into past projects,” he said, adding that they took action against some 350 employees, including five officials, when complaints of irregularities were received in the BTT project.

The minister further accused the past governments of their culpability by claiming that trees worth Rs200 billion were chopped down during the tenures of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and the Awami National Party(ANP).

Umar demanded accountability for the trees cut and the money made from their illegal trade.

He explained that the incumbent PTI government had banned tree cutting throughout the province and that only those trees could be cut which fell in the 3-D policy.

Moreover, he said that the government was currently planting trees on around 146,000 kanals of land in Gharhi Chandan area which is larger than the size of the Hayatabad neighbourhood. Further, he said that trees have been planted on some 46,000 kanals.

Umar further said that the government is launching a similar plantation project in the tribal areas apart from working on developing pine nuts crops in South and North Waziristan.

He further added that not only the government but all people should participate in transforming the country and invited all political parties and educational institutions to work together for the protection of the environment.

Talking about reports of an impending reshuffle in the provincial cabinet on the basis of performance, he said that this is what had been done in the federal cabinet.

To a question about expected changes in K-P’s cabinet, he said the reward and punishment rule should prevail but dismissed any wholesale shuffling in the provincial cabinet.

Funds for projects approved

K-P Chief Minister Mehmood Khan on Sunday said that funds for the Jehanzaib College, Saidu Shareef hospital and central jail have been approved and working on these projects is expected to start soon.

He added that the government will fulfil all of its promises.

Speaking to the media in Swat on Sunday, Mahmood said that the tourist spot of Gabeen Jabba road will be completed by June 6, just in time for the summer tourist season.

He added that those government officials who do not perform will be sacked and that dues from the federal government are expected to be transferred to the provincial government soon.

Expressing his commitment to complete development projects in each constituency of the province, he said that would his government was paying special attention to the problems of tribal districts on the directions of the prime minister.

Asked about reports of a reshuffle in the provincial cabinet, he said that he had the authority to make such changes and assured that all decisions will be based on merit.

Mahmood further said that a special police force will be raised for Swat which will be regularised while the Swat Motorway will be opened for traffic by May 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2019.