ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday launched the countrywide monsoon plantation drive in Islamabad in an national effort to run Pakistan green.

Addressing at the launch of nationwide monsoon tree plantation drive here at Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan faced the impending challenge of climate change, massive plantation was the solution to reverse the negative impacts of environmental degradation.

The prime minister said deforestation had resulted in an increased levels of air pollution and temperatures in the country, which required a special focus on planting trees. He asked the people to fully participate in the tree plantation campaign to enhance the country’s forest cover.

He said it is unfortunate that our forest cover is very less when compared with other regional countries as this matter was neglected in the past. 

“We have to turn Pakistan green to fight global warming and offset the impact of pollution”, he emphasised.

The Prime Minister said it will bring a big revolution if each person plants at least one sapling during the next three weeks. 

Imran Khan said he has also directed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure plantation at empty spaces in cities. He said our aim is to leave behind a better Pakistan for future generations.

Pakistan’s ports will provide foundation of important trade routes through CPEC: PM

Imran Khan said the government’s ten billion tree Tsunami project as well as plantation of one billion trees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is widely acknowledged across the world.  

He said Pakistan is now recognized as a leading country which is taking steps to reverse carbon emissions.

Prime Minister also directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) to present a viable plan for the use of the vacant building of Citizens Club for the consumption of general public.

The prime minister asked the Chairman CDA Amer Ali Ahmed to “take lead and hold consultations with the architect Nayyar Ali Dada to sort out the proper usage of the building”.

The two-member committee will soon present proposals to the prime minister in this regard.

The instructions were issued as the prime minister chaired a meeting at the Citizens Club situated at Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9, to decide about its fate as the edifice lies abandoned since its completion in 2018.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, PM’s Special Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, Senator Faisal Javed, Chairman CDA Amer Ahmed Ali, architect Nayyar Ali Dada and federal secretaries attended the meeting.

Spread over 22 acres and designed by renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada, the building has facilities such as cafes, restaurants, indoor pool, gymnasium and a library. However, due to some legal issues, the building remains abandoned till a further decision. Ends 

Seaports of Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed the confidence that the seaports of Pakistan in near future would transform into important trade routes up to Central Asia under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The prime minister, in a meeting with his Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, said Pakistan welcomed the strengthening of trade relations with the Central Asian States for economic prosperity of the entire region.

Imran Khan, who recently paid a visit to Uzbekistan along with a high-level delegation including the Commerce Adviser, said Pakistan had the potential to offer Central Asia a short land route to access the sea.

During the meeting, the Commerce Adviser briefed the prime minister on the progress of bilateral cooperation and trade agreements concluded during the Uzbekistan visit.

He also apprised the prime minister about the keen interest shown by the Uzbek and other Central Asian businessmen to invest in Pakistan.

He also briefed the prime minister on the strategy for upcoming visits to the rest of the Central Asian states, particularly Tajikistan, and its positive impact on investment and trade.

Dawood also gave a briefing on the meeting of Board of Investment (BoI) held this week and the plan for prospective meetings of various Chambers of Commerce this month.

The prime minister commended the Ministry of Commerce and BoI for prioritizing to enhance trade relations with Central Asian states for the first time in the country’s history.