Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has agreed in principle to the proposal regard-ing up-gradation of Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI) to the level of Degree Awarding Institute or a full-fledged University. He has directed the quarters concerned to submit the final way forward in con-sultation with all stakeholders to this effect saying” PFI is a unique institute , which needs to be up-graded in accordance with the requirements of mod-ern era.” “The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will extend all possible resources for the purpose” he assured.
He was chairing a meeting of the Forestry & Envi-ronment department held here the other day. Pro-vincial Minister for Forest Ishtiaq Urmar, Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Secretary Environment & Forest Abid Majeed and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
Briefing about the proposal regarding up-gradation of PFI, the meeting was informed that PFI was a sole institute of its kind not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but across the country adding that up-gradation of the institute was a dire need of the hour through which M.Phil and PhD programs in forestry and allied sectors could also be offered in the institute.
Meanwhile, the forum was also briefed about the revival of Forestry Commission Act 1999, Forest Wood lot Policy and revival of the Forest Develop-ment Corporation. It was told that a draft of the amendments in rules under the forest policy was ready whereas a summary regarding Darmalak Spe-cial Game Reserve had also been moved for ap-proval.
