DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said on Friday the provincial government marked Independence Day by investing in the environment rather than ceremonial spending, with 1.7 million saplings planted across the province against a target of 1.4 million.
Speaking at a plantation ceremony in Spin Khak, Nowshera, Mr Afridi said the drive was part of a broader climate strategy inspired by PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The government had planted one million saplings on March 23, and plans to plant another one million on Sept 6.
“Climate change is already affecting our communities, with cloudbursts, flash floods and other climate-related disasters causing significant loss of life, property and livelihoods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said. “Expanding forest cover is therefore both an environmental imperative and a development priority.”
According to the chief minister, KP accounts for about 45 per cent of Pakistan’s total forest cover, with forests currently spanning 26 per cent of the province’s area. The government aims to raise that to 30 per cent.
Highlighting the economic potential of forests, Mr Afridi cited Garhi Chandana, where community earnings from sustainable forest management rose to about Rs70 million this year from Rs10 million last year. He directed the Forest Department to promote community participation so conservation could also create livelihoods.
The CM ordered the department to develop eco-tourism facilities, including visitor huts, at key sites such as Garhi Chandana, Nowshera, Malakand, Nathia Gali, Naran-Kaghan, Kalam, Madyan, Bahrain and other major forest areas.
He also announced a “Plant a Tree in Your Name” initiative to allow visitors to plant and register a tree, aimed at fostering public ownership of conservation efforts.
On the development front, Mr Afridi said the province had allocated a record Rs235 billion Annual Development Programme and achieved record revenue collection of Rs150 billion. The agenda, he added, focused on good governance, service delivery and human capital investment “in line with the vision of Imran Khan.”
Turning to politics, the chief minister said Mr Khan “remained in prison despite unjust incarceration,” and vowed to continue the struggle for his release, constitutional supremacy and the rule of law. He praised public participation in recent demonstrations on Aug 5, Aug 13 and in Khyber district.
Addressing youth, he said their energy was a source of hope and that “no pressure or power” could deter him from his commitment to change.
“I did not enter politics for positions, protocol or privilege,” Mr Afridi said. “I joined this struggle for change, genuine freedom, justice, the rule of law and constitutional supremacy.”
He announced preparations for a march toward Islamabad on Sept 27, expecting over two million young people to join. “I will lead you, and this time we will return only after achieving success,” he said.
