High time for Pakistan to seriously value its natural resources: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that through "future green financing", Pakistan is proud to take a lead in conservation of ecological systems and ensure a secure and liveable environment for its coming generations.Addressing an event on Green Financing Innovations organized by the Ministry of Climate Change in connection with the World Environment Day, the prime minister said it is high time for Pakistan to seriously value its natural resources to combat the negative impacts of climate change.

The prime minister on the occasion witnessed the issuance of a joint statement by the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany to engage in a dialogue on the modalities of Pakistan’s Cholistan desert on Kabuqi model of turning deserts into green areas.

Imran lauded the initiative of the Green Bond, saying that saving forests particularly mangroves and urban plantation is urgently needed for Pakistan. The world, he said, is now realizing that ruthless wastage of natural resources is resulting in disastrous consequences for the mankind. He said though Pakistan’s contribution to global carbon emissions is less than one per cent, it is among the ten highest vulnerable countries facing the risk of climate change. He mentioned that fast glacier melting in Pakistan is a major threat, adding that his government has launched several green initiatives including Ten Billion Tree Tsunami to minimize the effects of global warming.

The prime minister said Pakistan is committed to spearheading innovative nature preservation and biodiversity initiatives and also the green stimulus package. He mentioned that the preservation of natural resources was taught to mankind by the holy prophet (PBUH) around 1500 years ago, which is even relevant today.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said Pakistan is blessed to realize about its enormous ''Blue Carbon'' asset through a study conducted by the World Bank. He said the study showed that Pakistan’s existing coastal wetlands ecosystem particularly mangrove forests potentially stored 76.4 million tonnes of Carbon di Oxide Equivalent (CO2e). He said it is encouraging that the ongoing mangrove reforestation drive under the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project can additionally remove 25 million tonnes of CO2e by 2050. —APP

Our correspondents add: Punjab Minister for Housing & Urban Development Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad and apprised him of the progress of Naya Pakistan Housing Project in the province.

The minister told prime minister that by the end of this year, construction of low-cost houses would be started in 20 more cities while construction of infrastructure has been completed in this connection. The premier lauded the efforts of Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed in this regard. The minister while briefing the PM about the measures taken to promote housing sector in the province, said Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) is actively working for the launch of Naya Pakistan Housing Project in more cities of Punjab in accordance with the vision of the prime minister. Builders and developers are being provided maximum relief in the Naya Pakistan Housing Project.

He further said approval of housing schemes is being given to the private builders and developers in PHATA on priority basis. Strategy for the upcoming local bodies’ elections in Punjab was also discussed in detail during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting on the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the prevailing political situation in the country. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Senator Saifullah Niazi, Aamir Mahmood Kayani and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas called on the prime minister here. The overall political situation and upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir came under discussion during the meeting, said a PM Office statement.