PM approves climate change, wildlife policies

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ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the National Climate Change Policy 2021 and National Wildlife Policy 2021 to better deal with environmental issues.
The prime minister chaired the 3rd meeting of the Committee on Climate Change on Wednesday.
The prime minister directed the establishment of a think tank to coordinate efforts between various ministries and to devise out of box solutions for climate change mitigation. He directed that a special zone in Margalla Hills be declared as a leopard preservation zone. He also approved the establishment of a Wildlife Information Centre at Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo.
The prime minister said that Pakistan established its credibility as a green champion due to its flagship ten billion tree programme. Imran Khan said, “It was our government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which undertook the initiative of one billion tree tsunami and now the whole world is following in our footsteps.” He said the international community is acknowledging Pakistan’s realistic and tangible steps to mitigate impacts of climate change.
He said the world must help developing countries to deal with the problem. The prime minister directed the Ministry of Climate Change to review targets and formulate new goals aiming at fast tracking the steps required to preserve the natural environment. He emphasised that preservation of Pakistan’s national parks is of paramount importance, adding, “We should induct trained manpower and utilise modern technology.”
He appreciated the efforts of SAPM Malik Amin Aslam for environmental protection and highlighting Pakistan’s efforts in this field.
Earlier, SAPM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam briefed the meeting in detail about Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Climate Change Policy, National Wildlife Policy and Green Climate Diplomacy.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Syed Fakhar Imam, Muhammad Hamad Azhar and Ch Moonis Elahi, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yousaf, Minister of State Zartaj Gul, SAPM Dr Shehbaz Gill, Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan and Chief Minister Gilgit Balitistan Khalid Khursheed. Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, Prime Minister AJ&K Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi and Minister Environment Sindh Ismail Rahu joined the meeting via video link.