MANSEHRA, Nov 8: Deputy Commissioner of Mansehra Zulfikar Shah on Friday warned timber smugglers and smuggled timber buyers in Kaghan of strict action, saying illegal cutting of trees has eroded the natural beauty of the valley.

`We won`t spare timber smugglers and those using smuggled timber for business at any cost. If they want to earn a respectable livelihood, then they must leave timber smuggling and begin making handicraft. I assured them that the administration would provide them with timber at controlled price,` Mr Shah told furniture makers in Jurad area here during a function.The deputy commissioner accompanied by the forest department and police officials and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders had come to the Kaghan valley on a surprise visit.

During the visit, he sealed many unlicensed saw machines in Jurad known for furniture making through locally smuggled precious diodar and biar wood.

Mr Shah told furniture makers that the administration wanted to preserve natural beauty of the valley, which was threatened by the illegal cutting of trees.

`If you want a respectable livelihood, then you should change your illegal business to handicraft making business,` he said.

The deputy commissioner said the administration in collaboration with the forest department had been taking necessary steps to curb timber smuggling in the district, especially in Kaghan valley, and sealed many unlicensed saw machines.

He said the ongoing crackdown on timber smugglers and those purchasing smuggledtimber would continue and the outlaws would be dealt with strictly under the law.

Mr Shah said the administration had planned to provide licensed timbers to Jurad handcart centre.

He said illegal saw machines wouldn`t be allowed to operate, while the two licensed saw machines and handicraft centre would be provided with licensed timber.

The deputy commissioner said the administration wouldn`t accept any political pressure and continue with the crackdown on timber smugglers and smuggled timber buyers.

PTI district president Shafahat Ali Khan and secretary general Ishtiaq Khan Swati also spoke on the occasion.

CIVIC SERVICES SUSPENDED: The residents of Ghazikot Township on Friday complained about the virtual suspension of civic services in the area following the termination of 16 relevant officials.

Zamir Javed Yousufzai, who led the complainants at a news conference here, said since the termination of 16 employees, including the Mansehra Development Authority director, many months ago, no replacements had been made.

He said the said terminations had led to heaps of garbage and poor lighting of streets in the area.

Mr Yousafzai also complained of water shortage, saying there is nobody to operate water supply plants.

He said the residents of Ghazikot Township had formed a committee to take up the matter with the relevant administration officials for corrective measures and in case of inaction decide the future line of action.