A massive timber scam worth approximately Rs1.7 billion has been uncovered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), leading to the seizure of 2.3 million cubic feet of illegally felled wood. According to a report by the Forestry Planning and Monitoring Circle (FP&MC) in Peshawar, the illicit timber was seized primarily from Battagram’s Allai tehsil, with investigations ongoing in three additional compounds that could push the figures even higher. The scam was exposed following monitoring directives from the provincial cabinet.
The comprehensive investigation reviewed 370 cases across various forestry operations, including woodlots and approved working plans. The findings revealed major discrepancies in 30% of the cases (111), while 45.4% were cleared and 24.6% had minor issues. In terms of volume, 2.361 million cubic feet of timber was seized due to serious violations, such as officials ignoring marking standards, failing to comply with approved plans, and facilitating illicit cutting.
A total of 140 officers and officials have been implicated in the scandal. The Forest Department has prepared charge sheets against them under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules 2011 and initiated legal proceedings. The provincial government has also referred some of the more severe cases to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Anti-Corruption Department for further action.
Sources revealed that timber marking and harvesting monitoring had been suspended for three years prior to 2024 for unknown reasons. The current KP government’s order to resume surveillance ultimately led to the exposure of this large-scale operation. While government sources claim this crackdown will curb timber mafia activities and ensure transparency, experts warn that the province’s fragile forest cover will remain at risk unless strict and consistent accountability is enforced.
