Govt committed to keeping environment clean: CM

Says trees planted in both urban and remote areas for climate equity

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government was committed to keeping the environment pollution free.

He stated this during a meeting with Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul who called on him at his office on Sunday.

Matters related to the Clean and Green Pakistan programme, political issues and ongoing development projects in Southern Punjab came under discussion during the meeting.

The provincial chief executive termed the Clean and Green Pakistan project as a flagship programme of the PTI-led government. “For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the government has paid attention to keep the environment clean.”

He highlighted that Miyawaki forests are being planted for the urban forestations. “The incumbent government has also planted trees in remote areas along with urban areas as clean and pollution-free air is the basic right of every citizen.”

He further said, ”Corruption, irregularities and plundering of the former rulers spread political pollution. Those who are involved in the politics of self-interest have no future. The PTI-led government has given a new identity to South Punjab by establishing the region’s secretariat.”

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He maintained that by approving rules of business for the South Punjab Secretariat, the government had fulfilled its other promise with the people adding that this historic initiative will resolve the problems of the people of South Punjab at a local level.

In the past, he said, funds of South Punjab were utilised on other projects whereas the PTI-led government, for the development and progress of the people of the area, had ring-fenced the development budget of South Punjab.

“Around Rs189 billion has been allocated for this purpose in the current financial year. For the first time budget of the province has been ring-fenced and a separate book has been compiled regarding the development programmes of South Punjab.”

The foundation stone of the South Punjab Secretariat will soon be laid in Bahawalpur after Multan, the CM revealed.

Speaking on the occasion, the climate change minister said, “The CM did not waste time chanting slogans and instead served the people of the province in a realistic manner. The establishment of the South Punjab Secretariat is a historic achievement of Buzdar government for which people of South Punjab are grateful to him.”

Gul claimed that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the impacts of real development were reaching including those in South Punjab.

Meanwhile, Buzdar expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives due to firing by suspected robbers in Sadiqabad and sought a report from the RPO Bahawalpur. According to official sources, the CM ordered for the arrest of the suspects involved in the incident at the earliest and to provide the best medical treatment facilities to the injured. The CM extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families.

Moreover, the provincial chief executive expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the sad demise of renowned scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. In his condolence message issued, he extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family.

Buzdar, while paying homage to the deceased said, "Abdul Qadeer Khan is Mohsin-e-Pakistan as he played a significant role in taking forward Pakistan's nuclear programme for which the nation will always be grateful to him." He termed the demise of Dr Khan a great loss for the nation.

He said Dr Khan was an asset to the country who made the country invincible through his nuclear programme. He further said that Dr Khan was the pride of the nation and would always live in our hearts as a national hero.

*With additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2021.