PDM spox lambasts govt over unabating forest fire in Balochistan

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) spokesperson Hafiz Hamdullah on Sunday strongly criticised the government's response to the unabating forest fire in the Sherani district of Quetta in Balochistan.

Hamdullah stated that the forest fire has become extremely dangerous, as flames have grown to engulf a vast area of 40 square kilometers.

The spokesperson added that three people had died as a result of the fire, while several others sustained injuries according to the police.

As the forest continues to burn, the spokesperson said, “why did the state, provincial and federal governments remain silent for 13 days?” He claimed that no significant steps have been taken at any level to control the fire in the region.

Expressing disappointment in the lack of government response, Hamdullah stated that after 13 days a plane has been ordered from Iran to help with the fire-fighting efforts, as an act of charity.

“A nuclear state does not even have the resources to put out fires,” the spokesman added.

Referring to the incident of TikToker Nosheen Syed, who allegedly started a fire at Margalla Hills, the PDM spokesperson stated that government officials and the media paid greater heed to the act than the fires in Balochistan. “The forest fire of Sherani had not been discussed anywhere for 12 days since it began,” he added.

He questioned whether there is any difference between the forests of Sherani and those in Islamabad.

The uncontrolled inferno, which started in the ancient pine and olive forests in Koh-e-Suliman range of Balochistan’s Sherani and Musakhail districts, has been spreading despite all the efforts of the local residents and provincial government to control it.

Read 3 burnt to death in Balochistan forest fire

The government faces backlash as they failed to respond to the fire when it could have been extinguished through the use of helicopters, however, it has now spread over a vast area.

“We are completely helpless, the federal government should do something and send experts as well as machinery for firefighting,” a senior government official told The Express Tribune on phone.

Reportedly, thousands of farmers have lost their only source of income in the uncontrolled fire in Musakial and Sherani district of Balochsitan pine forests as the area is famous for the production of quality pine nuts.

It has reduced millions of trees to ashes inflicting billions of rupees losses on the local communities who are dependent on the harvest of pine nuts for generations.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Quddus Bizenjo, Commander 12-Corps Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali and Federal Minister for Housing Maulana Abdul Wasey visited Zhob to monitor the firefighting activity.

Commissioner Zhob Division, Bashir Ahmed Bazai and Secretary Forest, Dostain Jamaldini briefed them about the ongoing operation and fire situation.