Lahore: The Punjab Forest Department has launched a comprehensive crackdown against illegal timber-related activities across the province, following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The operation targets unauthorized sawmills and timber processing units, with actions being supervised by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the campaign has led to the closure of 39 illegal sawmills and 22 timber processing mills, with legal proceedings initiated against the owners. Notable operations were carried out in the Murree Forest Division, Sialkot, Attock, and Rawalpindi North, where numerous illegal facilities were sealed and machinery seized.

In addition to these efforts, the Forest Department addressed illegal activities in Chichawatni, Layyah, and Murree’s Chingwariyan and Dhir Kot areas, including the demolition of illegal structures and the sealing of unauthorized installations. The Senior Provincial Minister emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal logging and timber processing, aligning with the vision of the Chief Minister to prioritize forest protection.

The crackdown is set to expand further, with intensified enforcement operations aimed at safeguarding Punjab’s forest resources and curbing the illegal exploitation of timber.