NOWSHERA: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that olive plantation will help address climate change and increase exports of the country.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing the launching ceremony of an olive plantation campaign, as part of the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project, in Nowshera district on Monday.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan spends a lot on import of edible oil that can be reduced with the production of olive oil locally by planting olive trees particularly on western bank of the Sindh River. He said that food security is a serious challenge for Pakistan as the country imports sugar, wheat, oil and ghee. He further said that a fast-growing population adds to this challenge.
Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, the Prime Minister urged the youth to participate in plantation campaigns in their areas. According to the Premier, climate change has turned into a major challenge today. “The second biggest challenge is to increase the foreign exchange reserves, while the third is creating employment opportunities,” he added.
“Pakistan is one of the 10 countries battling severe effects of climate change. The purpose of planting 10 billion trees is to safeguard future generations,” the Premier observed.
He said the production of olive oil can also generate news jobs and flourish businesses in the country. The Prime Minister said, “The primary objective of the PTI government’s Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project is to safeguard our generations from the effects of climate change.”
He asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to use the Miyawaki method of plantation in Peshawar to tackle the growing issue of pollution in the city. He said that the government is including fruit trees in the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami, which will create new employment opportunities. He said areas will be divided in different zones scientifically to plant specific fruit trees.
The PM recalled that the country was faced with the challenge of the biggest debt in its history when his government came into power. He noted that the country’s exports had increased while imports had decreased.
The Premier was accompanied at the inaugural by Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and other provincial high-ups.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Khan said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s environmental policies are garnering global recognition. He said this while sharing a video of the World Economic Forum (WEF), summarising Pakistan’s green policies, on his Twitter. “Globally PTI’s environment policies are being recognised esp our green recovery programme from the Covid 19 pandemic and our Climate action plan,” the Prime Minister said in his tweet.
The WEF video detailed three ways through which Pakistan aims to build a greener future. The country has “pledged to source 60% of energy from renewables by 2030. It has cancelled coal projects, replacing them with hydroelectric power,” the video stated.
The video went on to highlight Pakistan’s creation of over 85,000 green jobs, “…from plant care to the protection of forests. It’s training 5,000 young people to be nature guardians.” The WEF clip added that the Government of Pakistan was also investing on creating green spaces.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that uninterrupted reforms process in railways is very imperative to steer it out of deficit.
The Prime Minister said this while chairing a meeting on the ongoing reforms process in Pakistan Railways, progress in Karachi Circular Railway Project and Prime Minister’s Railway Green Initiative on Monday.
The Prime Minister said that an improved railway system would not only provide better transportation facilities to the people but will also help in resolving transport related issues and improving the economy.
The meeting was informed that a plan is under process to construct a special freight corridor for freight vehicles parallel to the Lahore-Karachi railway track through which Pipri will be connected to Karachi Port Trust to address the transport related problems of Karachi city.
Referring to the Karachi Circular Railway project, it was informed that Pakistan Railways has developed a model on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis which will ensure improved service to the passengers. It was informed that a detailed reform program is underway to overcome the losses in the institute.
The meeting was also briefed on the progress of ML-1 project. It was also given a detailed briefing on land identified for planting trees along a 221 km long track where trees will be planted.
The meeting was attended by Railway Minister Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Advisor on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain, Federal Secretaries and senior officers.
Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjani and Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday.
The Prime Minister felicitated them on their election as the chairman and the deputy chairman of the Senate. He said that leading the upper house by representatives from Balochistan and erstwhile tribal areas is an honour for the people who have been ignored in the past, and now their election will further strengthen the federation.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the chairman of the Senate, in his second term, would continue discharging his responsibilities in the upper house in the same manner in which he had performed his duties in the past.
Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak was also present during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Shibli Faraz called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. Special Assistant Rauf Hassan, Senator Faisal Javed and Yousuf Baig Mirza were also present in the meeting. They discussed matters related to highlighting performance of the government and steps taken for the welfare of the people. – TLTP