Pakistan Launches Nationwide Drive to Plant 100 Million Trees

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initiated a countrywide monsoon tree plantation campaign on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgent need to combat climate change, Dawn Newspaper reported today.

During a ceremony, he planted a sapling and announced a target of planting 100 million trees across Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative aims to mitigate the severe impacts of climate change, which resulted in devastating floods in 2022, causing approximately $3 billion in damages, over 1,700 deaths, and displacing eight million people.

Sharif urged federal and provincial authorities to ensure the drive reaches every corner of the nation and called on citizens to actively participate in this effort. He highlighted that while Pakistan contributes minimally to climate destruction, it suffers disproportionately from its effects.

The prime minister stressed the importance of a comprehensive strategy to address climate challenges affecting agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, aiming for a greener, pollution-free Pakistan.