BAHAWALPUR: Taking serious notice of the complaints of ruthless killing of wildlife in Bahawalpur division, Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal has directed Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Zafar Iqbal to take stern action against poachers, especially in Cholistan desert and Lal Sohanra National Park.

The chief secretary issued these orders at a meeting at the commissioner’s office here on Sunday evening, a handout said on Monday. Besides, the commissioner, the meeting was also attended by South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (ACS South) Saqib Zafar, deputy commissioners of three districts of the division and other officials.

The chief secretary said the preservation of wildlife was the collective responsibility of all officials concerned, asking them to show no leniency to the persons involved in illegal hunting and poaching.

Dawn has learnt that there were complaints about illegal hunting by some influential people in the Cholistan desert and the adjacent Lal Sohanra National Park.

As per locals, wildlife used to be in abundance in these areas during the previous years, but because of poaching the number of wild animals had declined considerably.

They said because of illegal hunting black bucks had almost become extinct in the desert area.

To check illegal hunting and increase the number of black bucks in Cholistan, the wildlife department was coordinating with Pakistan Army, Desert Rangers and forest department.

Sources said that during the previous months, some wildlife officials of Rahim Yar Khan were attacked by some influential poachers against whom the department initiated legal action.

During the meeting, the commissioner briefed the CS about the uplift projects of the division. The chief secretary directed him that any delay in the schemes under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) could not be tolerated. He also asked the officials to ensure timely and transparent utilisation of funds.

The CS also ordered the DCs to take action against corrupt officials in the revenue department. He directed them to continue the online monitoring of fertilisers stocks, ensure supply to the farmers and a check on the market committees and the auction process in the agriculture markets.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sher Akbar briefed the CS about the law and order situation in the division.

The chief secretary also paid a surprise visit to the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), where Medical Superintendent Dr Younus Wariach briefed him about the affairs of the facility, particularly the availability of medicines for the patients.

The CS also asked from the patients and their attendants about the availability of medicines at the hospital’s OPD medical store.

The chief secretary later inspected a model bazaar and checked prices at various stalls.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2021