Section 144 imposed in forest areas of Abbottabad amid rising fire risk

ABBOTTABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad, Sarmad Saleem Akram on Wednesday has imposed Section 144 in the forest areas of the district due to rising temperatures and an increased risk of forest fires.

The decision was taken on the recommendations of the Galiyat Forest Division Abbottabad, which warned that activities such as campfires, burning of grass and bushes, throwing cigarette butts and other careless actions could lead to forest fires, posing serious threats to wildlife, forest resources, and nearby settlements.

Exercising powers under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, the Deputy Commissioner has imposed a complete ban on all fire-related activities within forests and adjoining areas across the district.

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The restrictions include campfires, barbecues, lighting fires for cooking purposes, burning of vegetation, discarding lit cigarette butts, and cutting of trees.

The order has come into immediate effect and will remain in force for a period of two months. The district administration has warned that strict legal action will be taken under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code against violators.

The Deputy Commissioner has also appealed to citizens, tourists, and local residents to cooperate with the administration in protecting forests and the environment, and to exercise extreme caution to prevent any untoward incident.