President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have congratulated the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) for organising 7th Annual Environment Excellence Award ceremony on 2 August 2010 and said that the government is making efforts to safeguard environment in the country.
According to NFEH PR, the President said environmental degradation is a global issue that threatens every life on earth, therefore; it is necessary to save our environment from further pollution to save the habitat. "The federal government as well as provincial governments are fully cognisant and have taken several steps to check pollution and encourage environment friendly activities in the country, he said.
"The President said: "I am sure that the participants of the dialogue will come up with appropriate recommendations for the policy makers and to guide all those who want to follow the environment friendly path. "For its part the government will fully support all efforts to preserve our shared environment. I also commend organisations like NFEH in their efforts to make people aware of the need to be environment friendly. I wish all the best to the participants and organisers."
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the protection of our environment is equal to protection of our future and we need to disseminate this message among the masses so that we can leave behind a heritage of better environment for the generations coming, he said.
Gilani said, "It is heartening to note that the corporate sector in Pakistan has assumed its role in the welfare of the society by sharing a responsibility with the government to cater to the needs of people in healthcare, education, social, welfare and sports. The present government has accorded priority to environmental issues. This is one of the core area of PPPP manifesto." Gilani said the government has lunched Shaheed Benazir Bhutto CNG bus project whereby 8000 CNG buses are being introduced in 10 major cities of the country. "Introduction of these new CNG buses would not only provide better transport facilities to the public but would also help in improving the air quality of major cities," he said.
The Prime Minister said the government strongly believes that sustainable economic growth is essential to ensure a healthy living environment for people of Pakistan. This could only be achieved when all the stakeholders play their due role. I am confident that industrial sector of Pakistan would continue to play their due role in the social economic development of the country," he said. The Prime Minister appreciated NFEH for their efforts in creating awareness about environment issues, congratulated the award winners and wished them success in their endeavours towards environment projection.-PR