Pakistan’s federal government is reportedly considering lifting the nationwide ban on commerical logging.
The 13 year-old ban was imposed in 1992 following floods blamed on deforestation.
Pakistan’s prime minister has already chaired a meeting to discuss the ministry of environment’s recommendation to lift the ban. No timescale has yet been set for a decision.
The ministry of environment has met with the north-west frontier province government, which wants to see commercial harvesting restored, to discuss how forests can be protected once the ban is lifted.
At a further forestry meeting involving industry and forest officials, forest owners said the ban has caused hardship for communities.
