Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan has said that the present government was committed to make the country green and the ministry of communications was taking active part in this endeavour by providing shady trees on either side of the national highways.
He expressed these views in his inaugural address at the national tree plantation campaign on Islamabad-Peshawar motorway near Brahma-Bahtar interchange. He was accompanied by the Secretary Communications Sharif Ahmed Khan and senior officials from the National Highway Authority.
Speaking on the occasion the minister said that world is facing serious threat of environment pollution and it is our duty to protect the environment. He lauded NHA's efforts to initiate a countrywide campaign of tree plantation along the national highways network and appealed to people from different segments of the society to come forward and have a share in this noble cause. The minister said that everybody in the country would be required to contribute in order to make the campaign a real success.
He said that planting trees will not only increase the forest area in the country but also boost tourism industry. He said that the government was committed to grow record number of trees this year. He also planted a tree on the occasion.
Earlier, the students from Beacon House Education Complex welcomed the Federal Minister in a colourful ceremony at Brahma Bahtar Interchange. The minister appreciated the student's active participation in the drive and also announced to dedicate the spot to their school for plantation purpose. He said that students formed a crucial link in making Pakistan greener. He invited people from media and other private organisations to assist the government in this effort and said that land for the purpose would be provided by NHA along its network that stretched up to 12,000 km.-PR