CM Punjab directs to launch grand operation for recovering the land of Forest Department

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today which decided to launch a grand operation for recovering the land of Forest Department from Qabza Mafia.

The Chief Minister directed concerned authorities that besides recovery of the Forest Department land, immediate measures should be taken for retrieving the land of provincial government occupied by land grabbers in some cities. He directed that an indiscriminate operation should be launched against Qabza Mafia. Shahbaz Sharif said that every inch of state land will be recovered from land grabbers and action will be taken without any discrimination.

The Chief Minister also ordered stern legal action against wood theft and said that special attention should be paid to protective measures for curbing such activities. He further directed Forest Department to conduct GIS mapping in order to evolve an authentic data of its land in the province and immediate measures should be taken in this regard with the help of concerned institutions.

He said that tree plantation should be carried out on the land recovered from Qabza Mafia besides new trees should be planted in hilly areas as well. He said that tree plantation will help control environmental pollution besides beautification of environment while new job opportunities will also be created for those associated with forest industry.

The Chief Minister said that besides plantation of new trees, a comprehensive plan should also be evolved for their conservation. He said that tree plantation campaign should be forwarded in Punjab as a mission and assured that he will provide all necessary resources for this purpose.

Shahbaz Sharif also constituted a committee headed by Chief Secretary and directed that it should present a comprehensive plan within two weeks regarding tree plantation in the province. Secretary Forests Department gave a briefing on the steps taken for retrieving the land from grabbers.

Acting Speaker Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Gorchani, Provincial Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Minister for Forests Muhammad Asif Malik, Parliamentary Secretary for Forests Mian Fida Hussain, Members Assembly Rana Sanaullah, Mansha Ullah Butt, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Senior Member Board of Revenue and concerned secretaries attended the meeting.