ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged the rich nations to financially assist the developing countries most vulnerable to climate change and global warming despite their minimal contribution to carbon emission.
The premier was addressing the main event of World Enviornment Day, which is being hosted by Pakistan in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme.
He lamented that world had not given due attention to the environmental issues, adding that collective efforts are need of the hour to tackle them.
He also warned the world of looming water crisis as rising global warming badly affecting glaciers, which are major sources of water in Pakistan and other countries.
Special Assistant for Climate Change Malik Amin, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong and other officials are present on the occasion.
Live Stream: Prime Minister of Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI at Ceremony of World Environment Day in Islamabad (05.06.2021)#WorldEnvironmentDay #EcosystemRestoration #GenerationRestoration #WEDPakistan2021 https://t.co/a07FjmGC3T
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) June 5, 2021
He appreciated the UN for repeatedly asking the developed world to play its due role and provide aid to countries which are working for the protection of ecosystem.
Imran Khan said the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration provides an opportunity for the world to make efforts to cut carbon emission.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s carbon emission contribution is less than one percent, yet it decided to take initiatives to avert the impact of global warming.
He pointed out that one billion trees were planted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a period of five years from 2013 to 2018 during the PTI government. He said another one billion trees have also been planted in parts of the country under Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project.
Stressing on a need of joint efforts, the prime minister said that public will have to play its positive role in the mega forestation program to make it successful.
He said local communities will be involved for the protection of forests. He said the back of timber mafia has been broken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the help of forest guards.
He said that Recharge Pakistan is also being initiated with the purpose to restore wetlands and improve the water table.
He said fifteen new national parks have been established across the country to promote tourism. Highlighting Pakistan’s goals in the running decade, he said that the country will be producing sixty percent energy from renewable sources while 30 per cent of all vehicles would be transferred to electricity by 2030.
He said that it is a matter of honour for Pakistan to host the World Environment Day. This, he said, recongises Pakistan’s steps for protection of environment.
Environment Protection Initiatives creating thousands of jobs
Addressing on the occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Amin Aslam said environment protection initiatives taken by the PTI government have so far provided jobs to 85,000 people. He hoped that Pakistan will be able to create more 200,000 jobs in the running year.
Amin Aslam said Pakistan has also accepted the challenge of restoring one million hectares of degraded and deforested land. He said our green financing initiative aimed at generating funds for climate friendly projects.
China Commends Pakistan’s role for environment protection
Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose message was read out by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, appreciated the efforts made by Pakistan to cope with climate change.
Xi Jinping said his country stands ready to work with Pakistan and other countries to inject new impetus into global environmental governance and contribute to a clean and beautiful world.
