ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the National Green Day aimed at planting 100 million trees all over the Country.
In this regard, the prime minister planted a sapling at the Prime Minister Office in Islamabad, launching the campaign that was initiated simultaneously in all the provinces.
In his brief remarks the prime minister said his government was committed to make the country green, with extensive plantation. He said the campaign was vital to protect the environment and counter the negative impact of the climate change.
The prime minister extensive cutting of trees has led to deforestation and effective measures were needed to reverse the change.
Nawaz Sharif said the federal government would provide a fund of Rs 3.5 billion while a matching grant would come from all the provinces and regions. He said Rs 500 million would be spent on tree plantation in the Islamabad Capital Region.
The prime minister said the extensive tree plantation would be carried out on February 9 every year under the Prime Minister’s Green Pakistan Programme.
A group of 20 special children accompanied the prime minister on the occasion. Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid were also present on the occasion.
Over 100 events have been arranged throughout Pakistan while Chief Ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and Azad Jammu and Kashmir would also inaugurate the scheme the same day in their respective provinces.
