Awaiting Green Bench for Chitral

There is only one institution which is not only vibrant but also looks working for betterment of depressed and deprived Pakistani citizens. That only institution is Judiciary and Chief Justice of Pakistan Honorable Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Choudhery who is the only person on whom the whole nation feels pride.

Recently in his address to Environment Day honorable Chief Justice announced to establish Green Bench to address cases regarding environmental issues which are getting from bad to worse in Pakistan. In replication of the same precedent Chief Justice Lahore High Court also established Green Benches in Lahore High Court which is highly appreciable. Since getting power of the present government District Chitral has become paradise for timber mafia and ruthless cutting of deodar in the garb of marking is in progress which developing serious environmental problem for the people.

In the previous year devastating flood created havoc in the whole district which was direct result of deforestation in the limited forest areas of Chitral. A few members of timber mafia earned billions of rupees from this business of timber at the cost of whole population of Chitral. If this trend of deforestation continued in near future Chitral will reflect picture of barren land and whole people will be at the mercy of flood. People of Chitral brought this problem into the notice of Government Officials but unfortunately no tangible step  is being taken to control deforestation and ruthless cutting of trees in Chitral.

Recent announcement of Chief Justice Pakistan that Green Bench will be established to hear cases of environmental issues is regarded sigh of relief for the people of Chitral. People of Chitral requested Chief Justice Pakistan to take nbnotice of irregularities taking place in the process of marking and causing serious environmental issues in District Chitral. Chief Justice Peshawar High Court is also requested to establish green Bench in Peshawar High Court and also taken notice of deforestation in District Chitral.

 People of Chitral also highly appreciate order of Chief Justice Peshawar High Court in which judicial inquiry has been initiated to probe excessive uses of force against people of Ayun. People of Ayun were also demonstrating against deforestation and smuggling of timber to down country when police resorted force to suppress the peaceful demonstration. It is also requested that this case may also be transferred to Green Bench as it is directly linked with environment. We the people of Chitral are waiting when Green Bench will start hearing deforestation cases of Chitral and accord exemplary punishment to timber mafia and other functionaries who are directly or indirectly involved in smuggling and illegal timber business -- Nasir Mehmood Drosh Chitral, 08 April 2012.

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