THIS is with reference to the report ‘Fire destroys thousands of pine nut trees in Balochistan’ (May 20). The Sherani Forest is one of the largest fruit-producing area in Balochistan located in the province’s Zhob division bordering the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

The forest fire is raging for more than a week and three people have already died, while three others are seriously injured. Besides, also at risk are hundreds of lives in communities living close to the forest. The same is true for the livestock and cattle heads.

The paramilitary personnel in the area tried their best to extinguish the fire, but failed. It is unfortunate that the provincial government has not done much to control the fire and save lives.

One can only hope that someone somewhere will wake up and do something about it without wasting any further time.

Abu Bakar Usman
Kech

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2022