ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for collective efforts to enhance Pakistan’s forest cover, protecting and establishing National Parks to avert negative impact of the global warming.

PM Imran Khan was addressing the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Ministry of Climate Change and the World Bank in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said the world is now acknowledging that changing weather patterns will have extremely negative impact if we do not take meaningful and strong steps. He said global warming is impacting our cities and glaciers.

He said Pakistan has launched Ten Billion Tree Tsunami to increase forest cover of the country. He said the PTI government has announced 15 National Parks, which is vital to protect wildlife, generate employment, and promote tourism in the country.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for protecting green areas in cities to ensure availability of clean air and water for the future generations.

Imran Khan said the government is preparing master plans of cities under which urban population will be green fenced and cities will not be allowed to spread beyond established limits.

He said it is a great pleasure that mangrove plantation has increased in Balochistan and Sindh due to government’s efforts.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Climate Change Malik Muhammad Amin Aslam said that under the Green Stimulus initiative, to be completed with the generous cooperation of the World Bank, will generate 1,35,000 jobs.

He said over 188 million trees will be grown and 15,000 beekeepers be trained under this programme.