PM urges nation to partake in plantation drive

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday once again urged the nation to fully participate in the government’s monsoon tree plantation drive, turning Pakistan into a green country.

In a tweet, the prime minister posted a combo of pictures in which he was seen planting a pine tree in Nathia Gali. “Planting pine trees in Nathia (Gali) as part of our monsoon tree plantation campaign. I want our whole nation to participate in the greening of Pakistan,” the PM said.

In his previous tweets on different occasions, the prime minister had been consistently motivating the people, especially the youth, to actively take part in the “country’s biggest” tree plantation campaign. He also made references to the monsoon tree plantation drive in the country under his government’s much ambitious 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project and Green and Clean Pakistan initiative.

“I want all Pakistanis, especially our youth, to gear up for the biggest tree planting campaign in our history. We have a lot of catching up to do,” the prime minister had said in one of his previous tweets.

Read Pakistan hosting 'Environment Day' recognition of our efforts: PM Imran

On June 3, the premier said Pakistan must achieve the target of planting 10 billion trees to protect the future generations and play its due role in mitigating global warming.

"Pakistan is among the 10 most vulnerable countries with regard to global warming," he added.

"The country must play its part in saving the world from global warming," the PM said, urging to grow more national forests, increasing the number of trees and investing in urban forestry.

Citing the example of China and Indonesia, PM Imran observed that Pakistan could learn a lot from these countries in terms of green innovations.

"Pakistan's future lies in these efforts! We have taken our natural resources for granted, but now is the time [to care for them]," he remarked.

Also read: PM wants Pakistanis to gear up for 'biggest tree planting campaign'

The premier termed the growth of mangrove forests a good omen for the country. "No other forests witnessed such growth," he said.

"We started the billion tree initiative in 2013, now we have to raise awareness about it," the premier added.

"Pakistan will take the lead in tackling the challenges of global warming and carbon emissions," he said.

The premier warned that if the green cause was ignored today the country will reach a point of no return.

In August last year, the premier launched the largest tree plantation drive in the history of Pakistan as the ruling party commemorated the 'Tiger Force Day'.

Addressing a ceremony organised in Islamabad to launch the drive, the premier said many of the areas in the country will turn into desert which will lead to poverty if we did not take measures to overcome the effects of climate change.