Deforestation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has become a major problem that has reportedly seen a surge in recent years.
Recently, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf’s (PTI) Azhar Mashwani deleted a tweet regarding illegal tree cutting in the region.
A social media user claims that Azhar Mashwani first claimed that a viral clip of industrial-scale deforestation was from Afghanistan, not KP.
But after being fact-checked with evidence of forests being wiped out by the timber mafia in KPK under the PTI government, he finally deleted his tweet.
Azhar Qazi Mashwani is a Pakistani politician and social media activist. He served as the focal person on digital media for the Office of the former Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan and the founder of PTI, Imran Khan.
Before this, the user had posted on social media platform X, “Take a look at kilometer long track carved through the forest for timber smuggling, despite the devastating floods we faced last year.”
The post added, “In PTI-run KPK, most of the forests have almost been wiped out. Timber mafia must be brought to justice, for Pakistan & for our future generations.”
Take a look at kilometer long track carved through the forest for timber smuggling, despite the devastating floods we faced last year.
— Cyborg 🇵🇰🍁 (@cyborg_reborn) April 23, 2026
In PTI-run KPK, most of forests have almost been wiped out. Timber mafias must be brought to justice, for Pakistan & for our future generations. pic.twitter.com/NraA8S5VK5
Following up with the post, the user added, “I’ve cross checked the video, the uploader & his location. All available evidence confirms that the video is from Pakistan.”
Further attaching the supporting proof, which was: 1st image was of his TikTok account, 2nd image was of his location, and the 3rd video, as the user claimed, ‘he appears walking in front of the camera at the end.’
I've cross checked the video, the uploader & his location. All available evidence confirms that the video is from Pakistan. I am attaching the supporting proof:
— Cyborg 🇵🇰🍁 (@cyborg_reborn) April 23, 2026
1st image: His TikTok account
2nd image: His location
3rd video: He appears walking in front of the camera at the end. pic.twitter.com/jB6inMKT5H
Deforestation in KP
Reports claim that KP has lost 4.7 kha of tree cover from 2001 to 2024. This represents 0.87 per cent of its 2000 tree cover area.
According to the details, major deforestation hotspots are Malakand, about 1.7 kha. And in Hazara, about 1.5 kha.
These acts are driven by illegal logging by timber mafias, urban expansion, and demand for firewood.
Reports say that unsustainable practices and smuggling continue despite initiatives like the Billion Tree Tsunami. This is impacting the biodiversity of the region, making the matter need urgent attention.
