PM Imran seeks public’s role to make Pakistan clean and green

ISLAMABAD: Launching the biggest tree plantation campaign in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the people to play their role to make Pakistan clean and green.
The Prime Minister said this after planting a sapling here at Bani Gala Park on the occasion of Tiger Force Day on Sunday.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Tiger Force, civil society and members of the parliament for planting a record 3.5 million trees in a day across the country.
He said that Pakistan is among the most affected countries of climate change. He stressed to work consistently to tackle the climate change issue. “I pay tribute to all those who planted a sapling on my call,” he said.
The Prime Minister called for saving the forests and pledged that the incumbent government is working to plant trees even in the cities. He said a new environment friendly city equipped with the latest facilities will be established near Lahore.
“The climate change effect reduced wheat production in the country by 150,000 tonnes, melted glaciers that could at worst be converted into deserts,” Imran Khan said while sharing the negative impact of climate change if it is not addressed properly.
He said that the war to avert climate change effects will go on for a longer period; however, the people should cooperate and not leave any space in the cities without a tree.
“Planting trees will lower pollution in the country,” he said adding that there was so much pollution in Lahore during winters that people even face difficulty in breathing.
Commenting on Pakistan’s successful strategy to stop the spread of COVID-19, Imran Khan said, “It is a blessing of God that our country is among those who have effectively fought this pandemic.”
He further lauded the Tiger Force for serving during the coronavirus pandemic. “Even the world now acknowledges the successful strategy adopted by the country,” the Prime Minister said but cautioned that although the country has come out of it, however, the pandemic is far from over.
The Prime Minister urged the public to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs). “Wear your masks wherever you go,” Imran Khan asked the citizens and further urged upon the Shiite Muslims to follow the SOPs during Muharram-ul-Haram to avoid spread of the pandemic.
Earlier speaking on the occasion, Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said that Pakistan needs to fight against climate change as it has done against coronavirus.
Highlighting the intensity of the issue, he said that according to a report published by the World Bank, if Pakistan does not take action against climate change, six districts of the country will be under threat to become inhabitable till 2050. He added that these districts include Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to set up five model Panahgahs (shelter houses) in Islamabad in light of the proposed organizational structure.
Chairing a review meeting regarding improvement in standard of Panahgahs here on Sunday, the Prime Minister said the model Panagahs should be replicated in the provinces.
He asked the authorities to train the staff working at Panahgahs to improve its standard. The Prime Minister directed for ensuring effective coordination between the federation and the provinces under an integrated strategy for sustainable and quality facilities at Panahgahs.
Special Assistant for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar presented the proposed organizational structure to make the management of shelters more organized and sustainable. – TLTP