The operation was carried out under the environmental protection mission of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who has directed strict action against the influential timber mafia, according to a statement issued by the department.
Speaking after the raid, Maryam said the Punjab Forest Department acted swiftly on a confidential tip-off and launched an immediate operation in Khanpur tehsil of Rahim Yar Khan in coordination with local police. Officials seized a vehicle filled with illegal timber, and multiple suspects were apprehended at the scene.
An FIR of the case was registered at Shadani Police Station.
The senior provinicial minister commended the team for their swift and decisive response.
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She added that after the suspect’s interim bail, the divisional forest officer (DFO) for Rahim Yar Khan received threats from the accused, who is pressuring the department to withdraw the case.
“We have reached out to the district administration, and a second FIR has now been registered under the Telegraph Act to formally respond to this unlawful intimidation,” she said.
According to Maryam, such threats have become a routine consequence of strict enforcement, but the government remains undeterred.
“We will not yield to any pressure. There will be no compromise when it comes to protecting our natural resources,” she said. “Law enforcement will be upheld at all costs.”
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She added that the Forest Department, district authorities and law enforcement agencies are working in full coordination to dismantle timber smuggling networks.
The provinicial minister noted that CM Maryam has issued direct instructions to intensify efforts and ensure the complete protection of forests against powerful timber interests.
In a separate development, the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has confiscated more than 321,000 kilograms of plastic bags under 75 microns since a provincial ban came into force on June 5.
According to official data, EPA teams have conducted over 143,000 inspections across the province. A total of 136,961 raids led to the seizure of 249,485 kilograms of plastic, with 72,097kg recovered in 6,393 raids in Lahore alone.