Nawaz inaugurates forest academy at Ghora Gali

Expresses desire for enhancement in trade with Sri Lanka

ISLAMABAD: Stepping up its efforts for preservation of environment, Pakistan has set up the Forest Services Academy at Ghora Gali near Murree. The academy was inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday.

The academy has been established under the PM’s Green Pakistan Programme. The prime minister unveiled the plaque of the academy and planted a sapling there. He visited its various sections and discussed different themes with faculty members and students. The academy will provide in-service and post-graduate training in forest sciences. Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid was also present on the occasion.

Syed Rizwan Mehboob, Prime Minister's focal person on climate change, briefed Nawaz about the features of the academy and its objectives to help mitigate the climate change and undertake research on forestry. The prime minister was told that academy's first phase had been completed at the cost of Rs59.29 million, while the second phase will be finished by 2020. He was informed that a sub-campus of the academy had been set up in Bahawalpur to train forest officers in accordance with the ecosystem of desert.

The prime minister was also apprised that the academy had been established at a 150-year-old school building, covering an area of 22 acres of land. He directed to retain the original character of the old building during the process of its restoration.

He also directed supply of water and natural gas to the academy. The Prime Minister was briefed about the status of forestation in Bahawalpur’s iconic Lal Sohanra Park, where forestation has been undertaken on 1,200 acres of land, while 5,000 acres would be planted on in three years.

Nawaz directed to improve the natural environment of the Lake to attract birds followed by completion of de-silting of Patisar Lake. The Prime Minister emphasised on involvement of local people through Community Based Organisations to protect the environment and preserve wildlife.

The PM’s focal person mentioned that on International Day of Forests, Nawaz released Rs553 million as first tranche of Green Pakistan Fund for disbursement among these provinces, AJ&K, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Fata. Rizwan Mehboob said the provinces had designated areas for plantation which would also be monitored through GIS (Geographic Information System).

Iftikhar Aziz, Pakistan-Sri Lanka Friendship, Trade & Investment Association president, had meeting with the Prime Minister earlier at the Prime Minister House.

Iftikhar Aziz was accompanied by the vice president and secretary general of the association. While recalling meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe on the sidelines of World Economic Forum (WEF) in Devos early this year, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Sri Lanka could collaborate for the achievement of objectives of SAARC.

“Both countries should utilise the full potential of Free-Trade Agreement (FTA),” he emphasised. “Our government has provided comprehensive facilitation and protection of returns to investors as is evident from the pace of development projects,” he said.

He deeply appreciated Iftikhar Aziz for the invaluable gift of corneas for the people of Pakistan. Aziz is gifting 10 corneas to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punjab each, and five corneas to governor KP.

Aziz confirmed that he would be able to provide additional corneas in the next two weeks. The Prime Minister congratulated him for receiving Tamgha-e-Khidmat Award from the president of Pakistan on Pakistan Day.

He said, “Conformant of award reflects the meritorious services that you have rendered towards promotion of friendship, trade and investment between the two countries”.