The Supreme Court has upheld the dismissal and fines imposed on a regional officer of the forest department, Meher Badshah, in a case concerning the illegal felling of precious Shisham trees (Indian rosewood) in Mardan.
The three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, dismissed the appeal filed by Badshah, affirming the disciplinary actions taken against him.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the issue of rapid deforestation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across the country. The court noted that deforestation is causing severe negative environmental impacts, including floods and landslides.
"Forests are being cut down with the connivance of the authorities," the Supreme Court remarked.
The court has ordered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to submit detailed records of the forest department's five-year budget, along with information about its employees. Additionally, the court has sought details on the number of trees that were legally and illegally felled in the province, as well as the department's five-year afforestation plan.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa emphasized the severity of the deforestation issue, stating that employees and officers involved in illegal felling should be terminated. "Trees are being felled all over the country and being sold," the CJP noted.
He further criticized the Forest Department for failing in its duty to protect the forests, remarking that the department's focus has shifted to trivial matters rather than its core responsibilities.
The hearing has been adjourned for one month, with the court expecting a comprehensive report from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the Forest Department on the actions being taken to address the deforestation crisis.
