Chitral (Chitral Express): Local elders from Arandu and Damel have strongly called on the government, Pakistan Army and police to take strict action against the timber mafia, ensure a fair distribution of forest royalties and protect them. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the Chitral Press Club on Monday, prominent local leaders Malik Muhammad Ishaq Wardag, Hazratuddin, Ibad Khan, Roz Muhammad Khan, Siddiqullah, Zahir Khan, Aman Khan and Javed Khan said the timber mafia had been usurping the rights of the local population for a long time, and those who spoke out were being threatened with serious consequences. The local elders revealed that approximately 1.5 million cubic feet of timber had been cut from the forests of Dur Arandu Gol over the past five to six years, with a total value of more than 12 billion rupees. They alleged that the poor people of the area had not benefited from the forest royalties generated by this substantial sum, and that, through collusion, the timber mafia had deprived 98 percent of the population of their rightful share. The area has a total population of more than 11,000, but the royalty money is being distributed among only 2 percent of favored and influential people, which is grossly unjust; it has become a fact that the timber mafia has taken the form of a dangerous group in the area. The elders demanded that the government adopt the same procedure for distributing forest royalties in Arandu and Damel as former Lower Chitral Deputy Commissioner Rao Hashim Azeem used when distributing royalties in the villages of Kalkatak and Bewari last month. The former deputy commissioner rejected intense pressure from the timber mafia and ensured that 100 percent of the local population received royalties. The elders said that if all more than 11,000 residents of Arandu and Damel were paid royalties under the same transparent formula, poverty in the area could be eliminated. During the press conference, the elders also expressed serious concern about security. They said an organized group within the timber mafia and its operatives were harassing those who spoke up for their rights. They called on the Pakistan Army, the provincial government and senior police officials to provide them with immediate protection from the mafia so that local people could emerge from the shadow of fear. Along with their rights, the elders also highlighted the poor condition of basic infrastructure. They called on the government to immediately build and rehabilitate the main road from Mirkhani to Arandu and Damel, as well as construct link roads connecting the various valleys, so that people in the underdeveloped areas could have access to transport facilities. They warned that if their demands were not accepted and patronage of the timber mafia did not end, they would be forced to stage strong protests.
Source: https://chitralexpress.com/updates/2026/11/09/106857/
Muhammad Nayab Khan is a seasoned Freelance Journalist, Media Professional, and Enterprise Development expert based in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Holding an MBA in Finance from Punjab University, he brings a unique economic and digital perspective to media storytelling, corporate branding, and regional development. He maintains active professional affiliations with Qashqar TV (First PEMRA Licensed WebTV in Chitral) and Chitral Express (Chitral’s Largest News Network), where he contributes high-impact digital content, editorial visuals, and comprehensive coverage of regional socio-economic issues. As a multi-faceted entrepreneur and media creator, Nayab combines sharp investigative insight with advanced visual communication to highlight local narratives on regional and national platforms.
