PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Information Advisor Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif says that to prevent natural disasters, we have to make our environmental policies more effective to protect forests.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Advisor Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has said that as soon as the flood hit the province, the relevant departments, including PDMA, were immediately alerted and people were evacuated from the affected areas and shifted to safe places.
He said that mountains of mud had formed in the affected areas, which were cleared, and the second phase of relief activities was started. A modern electronic system has been developed for the distribution of relief funds to the victims, through which most of the payments have been completed. In addition, Rs 15,000 has also been provided to the affected families in the form of a ration.
Timber mafia and tree-cutting issue
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that a video of tree cutting in the Alai area went viral, which was used as justification for propaganda against the government. This case came to light during the caretaker government, but when the PTI government came to power, action was taken against those responsible, the wood was confiscated and stored, and now it will be auctioned.
He further said that strict measures are being taken against the timber mafia; their fines and punishments have been increased through legislation, so that this crime can be controlled.
Responsibility of the international community on the environmental crisis
The Information Advisor said that a cloudburst is a global environmental phenomenon, and the big powers have played the biggest role in destroying the environment. Now it is time for them to take practical steps to improve the environment.
He said that Pakistan is among the countries that are better in terms of environmental pollution; however, it is important to protect forests in the country and avoid building houses on the banks of rivers and canals so that the loss of life and property in the event of a cloudburst can be reduced.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif stressed that to prevent natural disasters, we have to make our environmental policies more effective, forests have to be protected, and world powers have to fulfil their responsibilities.
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