PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan Monday said that efforts would be made to upgrade Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI) Peshawar as National Forest University to impart higher education to students in the field of wildlife, forests and bio diversity conservation besides extensive research works.
The PTI Chief expressed these views after formally inaugurating the week-long PFI golden jubilee celebrations here at University of Peshawar.
The function was attended besides others by the Chief Minister KPK Pervez Khattak, Advisor to the Chief Minister for Forests and Environment Syed Ishtaiq Urmar, Secretary Environment and Forest KPK Nasar Hussain Shah, Director General PFI Hakeem Shah, Chief Conservators of KPK, Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and senior officers of Sindh and Balochistan besides faculty members and senior alumni of the institute in large number.
In his address, Imran Khan said global warming and climate change was a major challenge and PFI have to make a lead role to counter it through an extensive research work besides preparing young foresters to effectively cope with environmental challenges.
Imran Khan said forests worth billions of rupees were unlawfully chopped in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past making great loss to the national kitty. Imran Khan said the KPK Government has tightened noose around the timber mafia and culprits involved in timber smuggling would not be spared.
Imran Khan said high population growth and impact of climate change would make very negative affect on our economy if not controlled.
He said environmental changes were the major challenge the country’s was confronted to and we will suffer in future if revolutionary measures were not taken today. He said the environmental changes would certainly reflect on our future generation.
Imran Khan said improvement in tax collection was imperative to be independent of external sources.
To offset the impact of global warming and climate change, Imran Khan said billion trees tsunami project was launched by KPK Government to effectively cope with these challenges on scientific lines.
Chief Minister KPK Pervez Khattak said billion trees tsunami project in KPK was moving ahead very successfully and its success was recognized at world level.
He said this mega project will not only help counter the challenge of global warming and climate change but are generating jobs opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people.
Advisor to the Chief Minister on Environment and Forests Ishtiaq Khan Urmar said the government would take strict action against timber mafia and officials found guilty in corruption and malpractices.
He said elimination of corruption from Environment Department was his top priority and drastic changes would be made to improve service delivery.
He said areas where forests were cut are being brought under plantation and special focus is being given to promote afforstration in the province, he said, adding the government of KPK has introduced Scientific Management Forest Policy and got it approved from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to protect the green gold.
Secretary Forests and Wildlife Nazar Hussain Shah also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, the DG welcomed the guests and appraised them about the history, achievements and role played by PFI during its 50 years in promotion of quality education in the country. Sports events, debate competition and cultural shows besides get together of senior alumni of PFI would be the main features of the golden jubilee celebrations.
Source: APP
