RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Allegations of massive corruption in Billion Trees Tsunami Project (BTTP) echoed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly during the question hour as opposition submit notice for detailed discussion on the project in the house.

The ANP legislator, Jaffar Shah who alleged corruption in the project and demanded of the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Meher Taj Roghani, to refer the matter to the standing committee to discuss the issue in detail. However, the treasury benches were not ready for it while Mufti Said Janan of JUI-F submitted a motion under the rules of the house for admission of the issue for debate.

The Department of Forest in its written reply have informed about the plantation of 853 million trees so far costing an amount of Rs.7.137 billion in the province. However, out of the total planted trees, 520 million were not planted rather protected from the cattle and fire in the grazing areas while 164 million trees have been grown through plantation, 137 million through farm forestry

and 32 million planted through sowing. The planted trees cover 551673 hector area.

The mover of the question expressed reservations on the plantation of trees and the cost of billions of rupees on them and reiterated request for referral of the question to the house committee concerned for detailed debate; but, the treasury benches did not agree to it.

The Provincial Minister for Public Health Engineering, Shah Farman made some futile attempts and opposed the acceptance of the matter for detail debate in the house. However, the Deputy Speaker said that she could decline notice under Rule 48 of the house.

In his supplementary question, the JUI-F legislator said that the tax payers’ money has been misused in the name of plantation and the government must give an explanation.

Mohammad Ali of JI, a coalition partner in the provincial government also agreed that there were many issues in the execution of the Billion Tsunami Trees Plantation Project and alleged different irregularities in the project.

He said that an enquiry should be conducted into the matter and it should be referred to the standing committee on Environment Department.

Shiraz Khan of PML (N) also demanded that a committee comprising leaders of all parliamentary parties should be formed to dig out the facts in this project.

Responding to the criticism, Parliamentary Secretary on Environment Fazal Ilahi rejected the allegations of corruption leveled by the members of the house.

After receiving of the notice of Mufti Said Janan, the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Meher Taj Roghani announced the admission of the matter for detailed debate.

After witnessing a heated debate during the question hour, the chair gave floor to Aizazul Mulk of JI to present his call attention notice.

However, at that time, Sobia Shahid of PML-N pinpointed the lack of quorum in the house and on counting only 24 members were found present in the house, which prompted the chair to adjourn the proceedings of the house till Monday 3:00 P.M.