Timber smuggling bid foiled in Haripur

Sources say seized timber worth millions of rupees

HARIPUR:

In a recent crackdown on illegal logging, the Forest Department in Haripur confiscated a truck laden with illicit timber worth millions of rupees.

The vehicle was intercepted within the Haripur Forest and a substantial fine has been imposed on the seized vehicle.

Sources indicate that department officials meticulously scrutinised all documents provided by the contractor. It was revealed that the truckload of timber in question had been unlawfully harvested from private land within the Haripur Forest region and was enroute to the Hattar industrial zone. The illicitly harvested timber is sold in Hattar industry, with clandestine transactions involving intermediaries, such as Kahu, Kambela, and Santha.

According to the sources, the officials of the department checked all the documents from the contractor. It was informed that t truckload of timber which was cut from a private place in the Haripur Forest area and was being brought to the Hattar industry. Illegally cut timber includes Kahu, Kambela and Santha.

It is essential to emphasize that the logging of Kaho and olive trees is unequivocally illegal under all circumstances, and no authority in the entire nation possesses the mandate to issue verbal or written orders for their felling. The prevalence of such activities, including the involvement of various institutions, authorities, and even elements within the Forest Department itself, raises significant concerns. Citizens are now calling for a thorough investigation to unveil the hidden individuals facilitating these illegal activities within the department.

Student escapes abduction bid

A local private school student foiled a kidnapping attempt by an unidentified masked man in Khalabat the other day.

The fourth-grader hailing from Darband showed a presence of mind, which helped her escape from a dangerous situation.

"I was about to reach my school when a motorcyclist approached me, claiming that my father had an urgent matter and had sent him to pick me up. I decided to verify this by asking him my father's name. Astonishingly, upon hearing my question, the masked man hastily fled from the scene", she recounted.

After this incident, the parents of the student confirmed the incident and expressed their intention to formally report it to the local Khalabat police station, with the objective to kick start measures aimed at averting similar events and ensuring the safety of all students.

In response to an alarming incident, community members visited the school and discussed security with the principal.

It was revealed that the school's surveillance cameras mainly focus on the entrance gate.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2023.