ABBOTTABAD, Nov 23: The proposed forest ordinance needs wide discussion to remove its flaws and reservations of different quarters before its approval and implementation, speakers said at a workshop organized by the Sungi Development Foundation and Press Club Abbottabad here on Thursday.

They said that if concrete steps were not taken, there would be no forests in the NWFP after 2025 and wood would not be available for commercial use. They said only 7.8 per cent area of the NWFP was covered by forests, while the official figures were 17 per cent.

They said that under the proposed ordinance, most powers were given to the forest department. They opposed the powers of sending anybody behind the bars for the forest force.

They said the interests of all the stake-holders of forests should be protected with top priority to forest-based economy and environment.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...