Rs1.7bn illegal timber scam exposed in KP, 140 officials involved

PESHAWAR: A massive illegal timber scam worth Rs1.7 billion has been unearthed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s forests, with 2.3 million cubic feet of timber seized.

As many as 140 officers and officials have been found involved. The provincial government has approved issuance of show cause notices, and charge sheets have already been prepared for 140 officials. Some cases are also being referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Anti-Corruption Department.

According to a report of the Forestry Planning and Monitoring Circle (FP&MC), Peshawar, the seized timber, taken from Battagram’s Allai tehsil and other areas, is worth more than Rs1.7 billion and has been taken into custody. The report also warned that the volume of seized timber may rise as monitoring of three more compounds is still ongoing.

The monitoring was carried out on the directives of the provincial cabinet and covered woodlots, approved working plans, FDF schemes, the 2003 policy for dry standing and windfallen trees, and illicit cut timber policy.

The findings revealed major irregularities. Out of 370 cases inspected, 168 (45.4 percent) were found clear, 91 (24.6 percent) had minor discrepancies, and 111 (30 percent) carried major discrepancies. In terms of volume, 4.39 million cubic feet of timber was cleared, 1.545 million cubic feet was allowed after rectification of minor issues, while 2.361 million cubic feet was seized due to serious violations.

Category-wise, the highest irregularities were found in woodlots where 178 cases were reviewed and 64 carried major violations. In working plans, 79 cases were monitored with 25 serious irregularities. Under the dry standing and windfallen trees policy, 76 cases were checked, including 22 major violations. In FDF schemes, 36 cases were reviewed without major discrepancies, while one minor irregularity was found under the illicit cut timber policy.

The report noted that the seized timber relates to cases where officials ignored marking standards, failed to comply with approved working plans or facilitated illicit cutting.

The Forest Department has initiated proceedings under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules 2011, with 140 charge sheets being finalised against delinquent officers and officials. Legal action has also been initiated against those responsible.

Sources revealed that monitoring of timber marking and harvesting had remained suspended for three years for unknown reasons. However, in 2024, the current KP government ordered resumption of monitoring and surveillance, directing officials to submit detailed reports. This ultimately exposed the large-scale scam.

Government sources claimed that the crackdown would help curb timber mafia activities and ensure transparency in forest operations. Experts, however, warned that unless strict accountability is ensured, the province’s fragile forest cover will remain at risk from illegal logging and official negligence.