PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday kicked off the Ehsaas Shajar campaign by planting a sapling at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, aligning himself with PTI founder Imran Khan’s vision of a Clean and Green Pakistan.
The initiative, launched on the third day of Eid coinciding with Pakistan Day (March 23), aims to plant one million saplings across the province in a single day, a record effort at the official level. Public participation is also encouraged and citizens are urged to contribute at the grassroots level.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Afridi described the campaign as a historic and unprecedented step taken on the joyous occasions of Eid and Pakistan Day. He highlighted that the provincial government has set a firm goal of officially planting one million trees on March 23, while communities are actively joining in.
Afridi attributed the notable increase in the province’s forest cover to the sustained efforts of the PTI-led administration.
“The government is fully committed to protecting our environment, future generations and the planet,” he said, adding that practical measures continue without interruption.
He highlighted the urgency of expanding and safeguarding forests amid growing environmental challenges, leaving no room for negligence. “This national objective requires collective efforts and each segment of society must play its role with enthusiasm,” he stressed.
The Chief Minister strongly appealed to the people to vigorously participate in the tree plantation drive, ensuring a safe, green and vibrant environment for future generations.
Officials informed that simultaneous plantation activities are being carried out at 285 different locations in the province and all preparations have been completed in advance. A modern web portal and central control system have been activated for effective monitoring, along with a dedicated control room in the Forest Department for real-time monitoring.
The public has been invited to plant trees in their areas, share photos and videos of their efforts on the web portal and help amplify collective action.
The provincial government remains determined to maintain the momentum, with another major target of planting 1.4 million saplings set for August 14 (Independence Day) to further expand green efforts and ensure a lush and protected environment.
