A high-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Junaid Khan, Secretary for Climate Change, Forests, Environment and Wildlife, to assess the performance, administration and future strategy of the Forest Development Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The session focused on operational challenges at timber depots, wood stockpiles, delivery systems and internal procedures that affect resource stewardship across the province.
Ahmad Zaib, Managing Director of the Forest Development Corporation, provided a detailed briefing on current activities and highlighted urgent concerns related to trees brought down by climate impacts, including intense rains, strong winds and other natural hazards. He outlined the need for systematic oversight to avoid waste, ensure timely processing and prevent illegal exploitation of fallen timber.
Secretary Junaid Khan stressed that in the context of climate change, protection of forest resources and transparent management are indispensable. He directed that the corporation’s monitoring section be strengthened and made fully operational to oversee timber depots, with particular attention to wood affected by extreme weather. The aim is to secure KPK Forests from mismanagement and illicit activity while preserving valuable ecological assets.
Plans were announced to present a comprehensive reform and sustainability case to the provincial cabinet that will propose a forward-looking roadmap for the Forest Development Corporation. The secretary emphasized that any cabinet decisions must be implemented faithfully and transparently to restore public trust and improve governance within forest management structures.
Speakers underlined that forests are far more than a source of timber; they underpin environmental balance, climate stability, biodiversity and the well-being of future generations. The meeting reconfirmed the corporation’s central role in promoting responsible use and conservation of provincial forest resources and pledged to adopt measures that reinforce transparency, accountability and sustainable development so KPK Forests remain resilient for current and coming generations.
