Chitralis want ban on cutting of forests

CHITRAL: Elders of Chitral and leaders of different political and religious parties in a joint and huge press conference urged on district administration and forest department to immediately ban cutting of forest on the name of windfall, snowfall, rainfall. They said that a large number of green trunk also damaging on this pretext. They said that people of Ayun area have kicked a campaign against cutting of forest and we all elites and political leaders are supporting their genuine plea and movement. They said that De-forestation not only harming our environment but also causing for tremendous flood and natural disaster. They urged on district administration to withdraw FIR against them under Anti Terrorism Ordinance (7ATO) because people of Chitral are very peaceful and there is no terrorist in the entire district. The joint press conference was held under the chair of Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk former Tehsil Nazim Mastuj. Besides him former MNA Chitral Maulana Abdul Akbar, former PMA Haji Zafar Ahmad, president of PPP Sherpao Abdul Wali Advocate, AC retired Sardar Ahmad, and other spoke on the occasion. They also alleged elected representatives of Chitral who supporting Timber mafia and not taking action against them nor they interest to ban illegal cutting of forest. They warned the district administration to not provoke these peaceful citizen by lodging FIR against them under terrorism act otherwise they will kicked a stern and aggressive protest for their genuine demand. A large number of elites of every parts of Chitral and politician were present during the joint press conference.

Meanwhile a protest meeting was held at rest house Ayun presided over by former MNA Abdul Akbar while former Tehsil Nazim Mastuj Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk was chief guest on the occasion. The meeting was called to register their protest against illegal cutting of forest. They urged on forest department as well as district administration to immediately ban cutting of forest as well as to withdraw FIR against them under terrorism Act. A large number of people be longing to all walks of life attended the protest meeting.