-PM highlights the need for reforestation
-Warns losing Greenery means complete destruction
-Vows full commitment to tree plantation programs
-Says ‘our motto is to transform Pakistan to environment friendly country’
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Underscoring the need for reforestation in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday warned that losing greenery means complete destruction.
Addressing the Clean-Green Index Encouragement awards distribution ceremony in Islamabad today, PM Imran said that reforestation is vital to save the future of the coming generations in the country.
He maintained that they have set an ambitious target of planting ten billion trees, while keeping our cities clean by managing solid waste is next objective.
The prime minister said that efforts are also being made to generate electricity from the solid waste as being done in rest of the world.
He said, “We have to clean air and water pollution, for which we have to first change mind-set of the people to get them realized its importance.”
PM Imran maintained that around 70 per cent of green cover has been vanished in Lahore and as a result the pollution in the city had increased.
He hinted at introducing a system of reward and punishment to overcome climate change hazards.Earlier on July 4, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that unplanned expansion of urban centres had caused environmental damage besides creating risks to the food security.
PM Imran Khan made the statement while chairing a high-level meeting for reviewing the master plan of major cities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as well as the federal capital Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday chaired a meeting to control rising inflation in the country, where it was decided to setup sahulat bazaars in Punjab province besides also launching strict action against hoarders in Punjab and KP provinces.
According to sources having knowledge of the decisions taken during the meeting, it was decided to setup sahulat bazaars in the province where flour would be provided at minimal rates.
“Rs 20 kg flour bag will be provided at Rs 845 while Rs 420 will be charged for the 10kg bag,” they said adding that sugar will be provided at the rate of Rs 85 per kilogram in the bazaar. As many as 31 bazaars will be immediately setup in Lahore during the ongoing week while a total of 350 of them will be established across the Punjab province, they said.
The meeting headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan was further informed that inspection was carried out at 27,000 locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
“759 shops were sealed while 793 others were issued warning besides also registering cases against 818 people and arrest of 103 people involved in hoarding essential commodities,” the meeting was briefed. While detailing action against hoarders in Punjab, the meeting was briefed that 475 tonnes of sugar was recovered during action in Vehari besides also recovering 30,000 kilograms of hoarded ghee. “One person was also arrested for his alleged involvement,” they said.
Moreover, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a huddle on Monday of ruling Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) to deliberate over the present political situation in the country as the moot concluded the session having taken ‘key decisions’. The federal government in its session today mulled over options to bring back Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan who has been in England for his medical treatment and has decided taking steps to expedite his return.
