ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday inaugurated a spring tree plantation drive at Kundian Mianwali.
Upon his arrival, the PM Khan was briefed on the spring tree plantation drive by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and other officials.
Speaking on the occasion, PM had ordered concerned officials that forest land given on lease in Punjab should be retrieved.
PM Imran said forest cover in Pakistan is already extremely low as compared to other countries in the region. He said that there used to be thick forests in Chicawatni, Mianwali and Changa Manga. PM Imran urged forests should be protected at any cost across Pakistan.
PM said the forests that the English left behind have totally been damaged today in Pakistan. He said there were forests on 20,000 acres of land in Kundian, trees on 10,000, however, all forests have not seen in the area.
Prime Minister added that the nation does not know the importance of trees. He said climate change will destroy our future if solid steps were not taken in this regard.
He illustrated that Pakistan was the only country that had been blessed with 12 seasons, added that no other country in the world has 12 seasons or the resources that Pakistan.
He ordered Punjab chief minister to take stern action against those who have encroached upon the land of the forests and to treat them as criminals, he said.
A statement issued by Minister’s Office stated PM Imran will also attend an annual convocation of the National University of Modern Languages as a chief guest.
The statement further stated the current planting drive will be instrumental in the achievement of the government’s green agenda.
The Green Agenda aims not only to preserve the ecosystem but also to create jobs for the socio-economic sustainability, green jobs, especially the poor, women and the young, it added.