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Body formed to probe cutting of trees

Kasim Abbasi
Thursday, Jun 23, 2022

ISLAMABAD: The government has constituted a committee to probe auctioning of trees at different offices of Pakistan Broadcasting Cooperation (PBC) in the country.

The inquiry committee would determine type, age and volume of trees chopped down at different sites of PBC offices as a means to overcome financial constraints. The committee would submit its report by 30th of this month, states official document available with The News.

During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said, "I assure the committee that this serious matter will be fully investigated and strict action will be taken against those responsible".

Chairman Standing Committee Faisal Javed directed ten questions raised by Senator Irfan Siddiqui be included in the TORs of the inquiry committee.

The News reported earlier that PBC cut down some 3,600 trees at its offices in Peshawar and Rawalpindi and auctioned them to overcome their financial constraints. The PBC was all set to do the same with the trees at its other sites across the country.

Now, it has been learned that an inquiry committee has been formed comprising Joint Secretary (MoIB), Naeem Ashraf Raja, Director Biodiversity Programme (MoCC), Amir Abbasi, Deputy Director Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Amir Sohail, Divisional Forest Officer, Rawalpindi, and Director Press who will be working as spokesperson of the committee.

Senator Irfan Saddique highlighted some questions during the meeting which were made part of the inquiry. The questions pertaining to cutting down of trees by PBC are as follows:

Senator Irfan Siddiqui said in the committee meeting held on June 1, the ministry was asked to submit report within seven days. But, even after 22 days, there was no progress on the issue, he added.