ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday emphasised on reforestation in Pakistan to save lots of way forward for the approaching generations lamenting how varied main cities together with Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi was “clean” however had been now affected by air pollution.
“We have destroyed our forests, and our next generation will have to pay the price for it,” Imran Khan mentioned whereas talking at Clear-Inexperienced Index Encouragement awards distribution ceremony right here. The Prime Minister recalled out that folks used to drink Peshawar’s water as if it was mineral water.
Commenting on the Karachi scenario, he mentioned that trash and rubbish may very well be discovered scattered on streets of the port metropolis whereas sewerage is being disposed of within the sea, inflicting hurdles for fishermen.
Khan additionally highlighted that Lahore has misplaced 70 % of its greenery leading to enhance in air pollution in Punjab’s capital.
“In October, November, and December, the pollution levels increase to such an extent that they cause harm to people’s health in Lahore,” he mentioned.
Imran Khan emphasised the necessity of plantation drive and requested folks to affix palms to save lots of the way forward for the nation.
“We have destroyed our forests, and our next generation will have to pay the price for it,” he mentioned. He mentioned he had launched on November 15 final 12 months the Clear Inexperienced Pakistan Index to start out a wholesome cleanliness competitors amongst 19 cities throughout the nation.
The most important focus of the initiative is to inculcate a spirit of competitors on cleanliness initiatives within the cities and facilitate the behavioral change, constructing constructive attitudes, institutional strengthening for higher water, sanitation and hygiene providers and amenities.
The Prime Minister mentioned the federal government has set an bold goal of planting ten billion bushes, whereas retaining our cities clear by managing stable waste is subsequent goal.
He mentioned efforts are additionally being made to generate electrical energy from the stable waste as being completed in remainder of the world.
He mentioned we’ve got to scrub air and water air pollution, for which we’ve got to first change mindset of the folks to get them notice its significance.
The Prime Minister hinted at introducing a system of reward and punishment to beat local weather change hazards.
He mentioned deputy commissioners and different officers, who carry out properly on this motion of Clear-Inexperienced Pakistan, ought to be rewarded and this ought to be mirrored of their Annual Confidential Experiences as properly.
Talking on the event, Prime Minister’s Particular Assistant on Local weather Change Malik Amin Aslam briefed that Attock and Bannu districts clinched the primary place on the local weather change index in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa respectively.
Talking concerning the spike in coronavirus circumstances, Prime Minister cautioned {that a} second wave of the pandemic might hit cities with a excessive degree of air pollution in coming months because the winter season approaches.
He famous that a number of cities, the place air pollution ranges are excessive, expertise smog throughout October and November, when temperatures begin to drop.
“I fear that in these two months — October and November […] cities like Faisalabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, where there is more pollution […] there might be a second spike in coronavirus cases. The cases are rising gradually and we hope that they don’t increase quickly and we are monitoring it,” he instructed contributors of the occasion.
He additional mentioned that throughout the winter, “pollution becomes stagnant in the atmosphere”, resulting in the unfold of ailments.
