PM Shehbaz launches spring tree plantation campaign

Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday launched the 2025 Spring Tree Plantation Drive, a major initiative aimed at planting 41.7 million saplings across the country.

The prime minister kicked off the campaign by planting a Chir Pine sapling at the Prime Minister’s House, marking the beginning of the Up-Scaling of Green Pakistan Programme.

On this occasion, PM Shehbaz called on all Pakistanis, especially the youth and farmers, to join in this effort, underscoring the importance of collective participation in mitigating the effects of climate change and improving public health.

The plantation effort will span across the entire country, with specific targets for each region.

As per the details, Punjab will plant 12.87 million saplings, Sindh will contribute 10 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will plant 2.63 million, and Balochistan will focus on 2.06 million. Additionally, Azad Jammu & Kashmir will plant 10.14 million saplings, and Gilgit-Baltistan will add 4 million.

The main species to be planted include Kikar, Jand, Amaltas, Shisham, Sukh Chain, Phulai, Chir, Kail, Deodar, Peepal, Neem, Beri, Jaman, Imli and Chilgoza.

The campaign will unfold through 2,047 events nationwide, surpassing the 2024 monsoon plantation target of 40.5 million saplings.

PM Shehbaz emphasized that the tree planting efforts were not just about environmental protection but also about public health. By addressing the impacts of climate change, the drive aims to mitigate the risk of diseases and enhance the overall well-being of the population.

Reflecting on the devastating consequences of the 2022 climate-induced floods, which caused immense damage to the country, the prime minister noted that Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

In this context, he urged the nation to seek blessings during the holy month of Ramazan and to work collectively toward the country’s progress.

According to official data, the ongoing efforts under the Green Pakistan Programme will continue through 2024 to 2028, with plans to plant 945 million new trees and maintain over 2 billion existing plants.

The programme also aims to enhance forest management practices and improve data collection, ensuring the sustainability of these green initiatives.

The previous Green Pakistan Programme, which ran from 2019 to 2025, has already resulted in the plantation of trees over more than 720 hectares and generated over 1.42 million green jobs, further underscoring the programme’s economic and environmental significance.