There is a vast tract of natural forests in Makhnial area which lie on border of Haripur district of KPK and Islamabad. The timber and land mafia is now casting an evil eye on this forest wealth and wants to make a quick buck by setting up housing societies and hotels in it which obviously will involve cutting of trees from the said area. If they are allowed to go scot-free, fate of Islamabad and Haripur won’t be much different from that of Malakand which was hit by devastating floods recently so it is about time the district administration of Haripur in cahoots with Islamabad civil administration should jog into action and ensure that no tree is uprooted from this area. If there is a need of any legislation the concerned authority should get into motion at once.
The concerned authorities in KPK must ensure that that Afghan nationals are not put to unnecessary trouble who are returning to their country following crackdown on those who have been living here illegally. Their return should be made as smooth and comfortable as possible so that they don’t complain of any bottlenecks in their way. Since our Foreign minister has been in frequent contact with his counterpart in Kabul it would be in the fitness of things if he works out a fool proof visa system regulating the visits of Afghan nationals to Pakistan for trade purposes as well as for their medical treatment in case of need so as to obviate entry of any Afghan national in Pakistan without a visa. Moreover there is a need to further improve and strengthen border management so that movement of passengers between Peshawar and Kabul takes place unhindered.
