Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Environment, Haji Ibrar Hussein on Monday said that an inquiry committee to probe into massive illegal forest cutting during previous government has been constituted. Addressing a public meeting in Shergarh, district Mansehra on Monday, he said that the cutting of forests is completely banned and incase of violation strict action would be taken against the concerned district forest officer, range officer, forester or forest guard.
He said that during previous government an amount of Rs 18 million for development schemes in Tanawal have been misappropriated which would be recovered and deposit in the national exchequer. The provincial minister said that announcement of granting district status to Tanawal would be made soon, which beside development schemes will also help abolished unemployment in the area. In this connection, he said their party chief, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao before joining the PTI government had signed agreement for three ministries and establishment of Tanawal district. The provincial minister announced a development grant of Rs 5 million and two tube-wells for six union councils of Tanawal.