Preserving forests: Imran Khan kicks off plantation drive

CHAKDARA: PTI Chairman Imran Khan kicked off a plantation drive in Malakand Division on Tuesday by planting a sapling at Malakand University in Chakdara, Lower Dir. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak was also present on the occasion. Addressing the media, Khan said the provincial government will plant a billion trees across the province under its Billion Tree Tsunami project at the cost of Rs15 billion. “We will tackle the timber mafia at any cost and use the money recovered from illegal timber smuggling on protecting forests and raising new nurseries,” said Khan. According to the PTI chief, a Nigehban Force will be formed in K-P to preserve forests, and the force will provide employment to 0.5 million people. On the other hand, local PTI activists and students of Malakand University protested against Khattak and the Dir chapter of the party for not arranging a meeting for them with Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2015.