ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged rich countries to provide funds to developing countries like Pakistan to fight global warming and improve the ecosystem.
While addressing the ceremony held in Islamabad on Saturday in connection with World Environment Day 2021, the prime minister commended the United Nations for repeatedly asking the developed world to fulfill its responsibility and support those countries which are working for the protection of the environment.
Imran Khan said that the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is an opportunity for the world to do the course correction and work towards meeting the carbon emission cut targets.
The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan’s carbon emission share is minuscule yet it decided to take initiatives to offset the impact of global warming.
Live Stream: Prime Minister of Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI Addressing at Ceremony of World Environment Day in Islamabad (05.06.2021)#WorldEnvironmentDay #EcosystemRestoration #GenerationRestoration #WEDPakistan2021 https://t.co/eozXNph3rX
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) June 5, 2021
Imran Khan said that one billion trees were planted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a period of five years from 2013 to 2018. He added that another one billion trees have also been planted in different parts of the country under the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project.
The prime minister urged the nation to become part of the mega forestation program to make it a success story that will have a positive impact not only on the lives of the people but also on the country and its economy. He said that greater responsibility rests with the teachers to educate the children about the importance of plantation.
The prime minister said that local communities will be involved for the protection of forests. He said that the back of the timber mafia has been broken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the help of forest guards which helped increase the forest cover in the province.
An honour to join @PakPMO, @aminattock, @zartajgulwazir as we mark #WorldEnvironmentDay today. Huge thanks to Pakistan🇵🇰 for leading the global charge to restore the ecosystems on which all life depends. #GenerationRestoration https://t.co/D1AAGpFpUT @PakistanUN_NY pic.twitter.com/ISwTgZ4pMn
— Inger Andersen (@andersen_inger) June 5, 2021
In addition, he said that Recharge Pakistan is also being initiated with the purpose to restore wetlands and improve the water table.
The prime minister said that 15 national parks have been established which will also help promote tourism. He said that by 2030, we will be producing 60 percent energy from renewable sources while 30 percent of all vehicles would be transferred to electricity as part of efforts to limit emissions.
Imran Khan said that it is a matter of distinction for Pakistan to host World Environment Day 2021. This, he said, is also an acknowledgment of the steps taken by Pakistan for the protection of the environment.
