Crackdown ordered on timber smuggling across Hazara Division

ABBOTTABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th May, 2026) Commissioner Hazara Division, Fayyaz Ali Shah, has directed the authorities to launch an immediate crackdown on illegal timber smuggling and logging, ordering that lists of habitual smugglers be shared with district administrations and police for swift legal action.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the Commissioner here Tuesday to review measures for curbing illegal cutting, hoarding and smuggling of wood. The meeting was attended by all deputy commissioners, district police officers, the Chief Conservator of Forests Hazara and divisional forest officers. The participants agreed on strict and coordinated efforts to protect forest resources and eliminate illegal activities.

The Commissioner instructed that all assistant commissioners and additional assistant commissioners be notified by the Forest Magistrates under Section 14-A to strengthen legal activities.

It was decided to form special enforcement teams under divisional forest officers, comprising officials from the district administration and police.

These teams will conduct targeted raids on suspected timber store points and ensure immediate seizure of illegal wood.

The meeting also approved the establishment of joint check posts by Forest, Police and Excise departments on motorways, major highways and other sensitive locations, with enhanced monitoring through CCTV cameras.

The authorities further decided to transfer all pending forest cases to Forest Magistrates for prompt disposal, while forest officials serving in the same position for over a year will be transferred and replaced with competent officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Fayyaz Ali Shah emphasized that indiscriminate action would be taken against those involved in illegal logging, terming it a serious loss of national resources and a threat to environmental balance. He urged all relevant departments to ensure close coordination and take effective steps for forest protection and environmental improvement.