Explanation sought: NAB asked to submit inquiry report on tree felling

PHC asks corruption watchdog’s chief to probe legality of practice.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday ordered the director general of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit an inquiry report on the felling of trees on both sides of Chashma Road, DI Khan.

A two-member bench of Justice Mian Fasihul Mulk and Justice Asadullah Khan Chamkani was informed by Additional Advocate General Mian Arshad Jan that PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan had taken suo motu notice of the issue last year.



On September 10, 2013, a two-member bench headed by Justice Khan was informed by Advocate Muhammad Haroon that a large number of trees were cut on both sides of Chashma Road and were then auctioned on prices lower than the market value.

Upon this, Justice Khan ordered NAB to appoint a high-ranking official to probe the matter, find out why the trees were auctioned on low prices and submit a report by October 10 of the same year.

The bench also issued a show-cause notice to the director of environmental protection agency, asking him to explain why no action was taken from their side.

Arshad Jan explained to the court on Tuesday that NAB was also directed to investigate if the act was legal, but the relevant office has not yet replied.

A representative of NAB’s director general told the court the corruption watchdog’s chief was busy in other official matters. He asked for adjournment of the case, to which the court agreed and asked the director general to submit the inquiry report.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2014.