PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has agreed to a proposal regarding upgradation of Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI) to either a degree-awarding institute or a full-fledged university.

Chairing a meeting of the forestry and environment department held here the other day, he said PFI was a unique institute, which needed to be upgraded in accordance with the modern-day requirements.

Minister for forest Ishtiaq Urmar, special assistant to chief minister for information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, secretary environment and forest Abid Majeed and other officials attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that PFI was the only institute of its kind across the country and its upgradation was need of the hour to offer M.Phil and PhD programmes in forestry and allied sectors.

Agreeing to the proposals, Mahmood Khan gave a go-ahead to its upgradation to provide opportunity of quality research and education to the students from not only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also from other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the meeting was also briefed about the revival of Forestry Commission Act, 1999, Forest Wood Lot Policy and the Forest Development Corporation.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2022