PM okays package for green cover, job opportunities amid Covid-19 crisis

'Green Nigehabaan' initiative to provide 65,000 jobs to youth/daily-wage earners in first phase

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday approved 'Green Stimulus' package as part of the government’s efforts to extend green cover in the county and to create job opportunities for the youth, particularly in the wake of coronavirus crisis.

The Green Stimulus package, as part of 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project, aims to promote plantation, setting up nurseries, natural forests and promotion of honey, fruit and olive plantation in the country.

Under the package, a 'Green Nigehabaan' initiative would also be launched to provide job opportunities to 65,000 youth/daily-wage earners in the first phase, making them a part of the plantation campaign.

Addressing the issues related to climate change, the prime minister said enhancing green cover of the country is among the foremost priorities of the government.



He said that Green Stimulus Package, especially the Green Nigehbaan initiative will offer employment opportunities to the youth and will help in promoting the objectives of 'Clean & Green Pakistan'.

The premier went to say that the initiative will enable daily-wage workers to earn their livelihood with dignity amid the economic crisis triggered by Covid-19.

PM Imran directed the Ministry of Climate Change to formulate a plan of action for engaging the international community under "Debt for Nature Swap" programme to convert part of country’s debt into grant for greater plantation and environment protection activities.

Transparency and community participation must be ensured for success of the programme that promises better future for our coming generations, he added.

He emphasised that areas must be demarcated, in collaboration with the provinces, for establishing national parks all over the country as a step towards promotion of Green & Clean Pakistan.

In its manifesto, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stated that it “will expand and restore the fractured forests of Pakistan through a 10 Billion Tree Tsunami spread over five years under principles of true forest valuation, community stewardship as well as public-private partnerships”.