LAHORE – WWF-Pakistan lauded the newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan,Imran Khan’s resolve towards solving environmental issues in his firstaddress to the nation on Sunday.
The prime minister noted with concern the issues of global warming, waterscarcity, air pollution and solid waste management in the metropolis suchas Karachi.
WWF-Pakistan appreciated his commitment to addressing the problems ofpollution, initiating massive tree plantation drives to tackle climatechange and promote clean air, and an environmentally responsibledevelopment agenda.
Commenting on Imran Khan’s speech, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director GeneralWWF-Pakistan said it is the right time to take practical steps to addressenvironmental challenges. He further said Pakistan is facing deforestation,climate change and the depletion of freshwater resources which areadversely impacting the environment, health, and economy of the country.
He also said that with only 2% forest cover remaining, the PM’s commitmentto start large-scale plantations will help increase tree cover and reduceair pollution. He also added that solid waste management is a serious issuewhich individuals and the government need to tackle in order to protectlocal ecosystems.
The dumping of sewage water and industrial waste into freshwater bodiesmust also be stopped. He also appreciated that the PM took note of thecountry’s water scarcity and aims to promote initiatives for efficientwater management in the country. Imparting proper knowledge to the farmersand promoting agriculture research are a welcome move that can helpincrease crop yields and income generation capacity of the farmers, Naqimaintained.
WWF-Pakistan hopes that the newly elected government’s vision will helpachieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.