NAB starts crackdown against timber mafia in GB

GILGIT: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has started a crackdown against timber mafia in Gilgit and arrested four officials while declared more than 140 as absconder, and gave special task to security agencies for further crackdown.

According to official source, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) GB in a raid, arrested 4 officials from forest department namely, DFO Saleem Ullah, Superintendent Fareed Ullaha, two retired official Muhammad Zamrud and Qader Dan.

The officials assisted the mafia against timber policy of 2013 for deforestation and wood smuggling. Sources said that more involved officials may be arrested in this case.

Chief Secretary GB Dr. Kazim Niyaz has given special task to security agencies for arresting more than 140 people, involved in deforestation in nearby towns of Gilgit city, Jaglote, Damote, Chakerkot and Sai Bal.

According to local journalist Abdur Rehamn Bukhari, recent move against the timber mafia will surely help protect forests in GB, and there was need of the time to further extend the crackdown against the timber mafia.