PM kicks off monsoon tree plantation drive

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday launched the countrywide monsoon tree plantation drive by planting a sapling here.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said he had directed the concerned departments and institutions to plant at least 100 million saplings across the country, including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), to save the country from the impacts of climate change that badly hit the country in 2022.

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities in the federal and provincial governments to play their role in spreading the plantation drive to every corner to make Pakistan a green and pollution-free country. He asked all Pakistani citizens to help the government by fully participating in the plantation drive to save the country from climate change disasters and provide a healthy environment. The prime minister was also briefed on the area-wise plantation targets across the country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz on Wednesday said the federal government had allocated a historic development budget in the current fiscal year for the promotion of information technology and telecom sectors. He said the government was prioritising steps for increasing the country’s IT exports.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with a four-member delegation of the GSM Association, led by its Asia Pacific head Julian Gorman, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Khawaja Fatima, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman and other relevant senior officials.

The prime minister observed that GSMA had significant and vital role in the digitisation processes and welcomed holding of the Digital National Summit in Islamabad for the promotion of telecommunication and IT. He said the mechanism processes for IT sector reforms and digitisation was being implemented and the focus was made on common man’s better access to Internet, digital infrastructure, e-governance, professional training of youth in digital skills and innovations, besides promotion of business in this sector.

“Our vision is access to smart phone by every individual, broadband Internet facility to every household and facility of QR code for all businesses,” the press release quoted the prime minister as saying.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz stated on Wednesday that the development and prosperity of the people of Balochistan was a key priority of the incumbent government.

In a meeting with former Senate chairman and Balochistan Assembly Member Sadiq Sanjrani, the prime minister discussed various issues related to Balochistan. He said a railway line would be constructed from Chagai to Gwadar to facilitate access to the mineral reserves of Chagai and surrounding areas for Gwadar port. Additionally, a grid station was being established in Chagai to enhance the electricity supply system, and measures were being taken to ensure a continuous water supply in the area, said the prime minister.

Sanjrani updated PM Shehbaz on the Nokkundi Master Plan strategy for the development of Nokkundi city. He expressed gratitude to the prime minister for his special focus on the development and prosperity of Balochistan and for having implemented practical measures in this regard.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Power Muhammad Ali also met Prime Minister Shehbaz on Wednesday. During the meeting, the SAPM received instructions from the prime minister on his forthcoming responsibilities.