PM Abbasi launches spring tree plantation campaign

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday kicked off the spring tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling here at the PM Office with a pledge for a greener Pakistan.

Under the campaign saplings would be planted across the country for a healthier, sustainable environment. The programme envisages planting 100 million additional saplings to make the country greener. The total cost of the programme is Rs. 3.652 billion for the period 2016-2021.

Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah and MNA Romina Khurshid Alam accompanied the prime minister. Prayers were offered for the success of the campaign, which is part of massive tree planting programme for all parts of the country through Green Pakistan program.

The prime minister urged all Pakistanis particularly farming community, students, parliamentarians, professionals of various fields and women to actively participate in the campaign by planting maximum trees.

The campaign gains importance in view of the fact that Pakistan’s natural forests are under persistent threat of depletion due to erratic climate change, heavy demand of wood for human habitation, firewood and other wood-based industries.

He said that taking cognisance of the situation the government is taking keen interest in the promotion of forestry and increasing the forest cover in the country.

The Capital Development Authority would join the campaign from February 15 and would plant saplings in collaboration with various non-government organisations, schools, colleges and universities, he said.

The campaign would focus parks, Margalla hills and the green belts to make the city greener for healthy environment.