By Shumaila Andleeb

In the world facing looming threat of climate change, Pakistan has chosen the green pathway of protecting and preserving the environment to secure future for coming generations.

A country-wide project ‘Aik bashar, Do shajar’ – meaning one person to plant two trees – has been launched on August 18th under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who wants his nation to become more sensitive and friendly towards the environment.

On first day, the Islamabad Capital Territory administration planted 1,000 saplings at the capital’s major east-west Kashmir Highway.

The Clean & Green Islamabad initiative includes plantation of one million plants during current monsoon season on self- help basis by involving different sections of society. A survey has revealed  the survival rate of the planted trees as 70 per cent.

According to Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan,  the government has set a target to plant 10 billion trees in five years under Plant for Pakistan programme.

The minister, who planted a sapling at Pakistan Television Headquarters in Islamabad, said the plantation campaign is the effort of Prime Minister Imran Khan to make Pakistan clean and green with secure future for the coming generations.

She urged people to plant maximum number of trees in their homes, neighbourhoods and cities and make the campaign successful.

She said centres had been set up across the country to provide plants to people.