The Punjab forest department arrested the leader of a wood smuggling network in Khanpur after having conducted a major operation against illegal deforestation, the principal Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said on Thursday.
The operation was carried out under the environmental protection mission of the Punjab Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, who directed strict measures against the influential wooden mafia, according to a statement published by the ministry.
Speaking after the raid, Maryam said that the Punjab forest department had acted quickly on a confidential warning and launched an immediate operation in Khanpur Tehsil of Rahim Yar Khan in coordination with local police. Managers seized a vehicle filled with illegal wood and several suspects were apprehended on the scene.
A FIR of the case was recorded at the Shadani police station.
The principal provincial minister congratulated the team for its rapid and decisive response.
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She added that after the suspect’s provisional surety, the divisional forest officer (MPO) for Rahim Yar Khan received threats from the accused, who puts pressure on the ministry to withdraw the case.
“We have contacted the District Administration, and a second FIR has now been registered under the Telegraph law to officially respond to this illegal intimidation,” she said.
According to Maryam, such threats have become a routine consequence of the strict application, but the government remains unattained.
“We will not give in to any pressure. There will be no compromise when it comes to protecting our natural resources, ”she said. “The police will be confirmed at all costs.”
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She added that the forest department, the district authorities and the law enforcement agencies work in full coordination to dismantle wood smuggling networks.
The provincial minister noted that CM Maryam has issued direct instructions to intensify efforts and ensure the complete protection of forests against powerful wooden interests.
In separate development, the Punjab environmental protection agency (EPA) has confiscated more than 321,000 kilograms of plastic bags of less than 75 microns since the entry into force of a provincial prohibition on June 5.
According to official data, EPA teams have carried out more than 143,000 inspections in the province. In total, 136,961 raids led to a crisis of 249,485 kilograms of plastic, with 72,097 kg recovered in 6,393 raids at Lahore alone.
