KARACHI: Hamdard Foundation Pakistan (HFP) has launched an inter-provincial plantation campaign in August to support the Commissioner Karachi’s plantation drive. Thousands of plants of various species will be planted across different districts in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Additionally, the installation of thousands of artificial nests on trees has begun in Lahore to protect local birds, which are severely impacted by pollution and climate change.
The campaign’s opening ceremony took place yesterday at Allahwali Chowrangi, Karachi, near Hamdard Corporate Head Office. Syed Ghulam Mehdi Shah, Additional Commissioner of Karachi, attended as the chief guest and officially inaugurated the drive by planting trees with the students of Hamdard Public School. The event was also attended by Syed Muhammad Arsalan, Director of HFP, Assistant Commissioner Bilal Alvi, senior police officers and people from different walks of life. The students, along with the distinguished guests, distributed seeds of various aromatic and fruit plants at Tariq Road Chowrangi to encourage thousands of citizens to participate in tree planting.
Syed Muhammad Arsalan while talking to media representatives said that it was a long-standing tradition of Hamdard Pakistan to actively participate whenever provincial or local governments launch a plantation drive. “Hamdard Pakistan, including all its subsidiaries and affiliated institutions, has cultivated and maintained thousands of plants in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Madinat-ul-Hikmah, Hamdard Public School, Hamdard University, and at Hamdard Factories. It is Ms. Sadia Rashid’s mission to see a pollution-free and green Pakistan.” He also emphasized the importance of proper care for the plants to ensure they grow into trees.
In a statement released yesterday HFP said: “During this important initiative, HFP is also distributing seeds of various plants as gifts to encourage people to participate in this noble cause and fulfill their religious duty. Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change, making large-scale plantation essential. This movement aims to raise awareness that planting trees not only improves the environment but is also crucial for our survival. In the first phase, plantation drives and the installation of artificial nests for birds are being carried out in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar, as these cities are severely polluted. Climate change is impacting the birds around us, causing many species to become endangered. During the campaign, bird nests will be placed in trees at various locations to provide habitats for birds to nest and live. This effort not only protects the birds but also contributes to a healthier environment. It is our responsibility to save our native birds from extinction.”
