ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has accorded in-principle approval for the “National Climate Change Policy, 2021” and “National Wildlife Policy, 2021”, and directed that a special zone in the Margalla Hills be declared as a ‘leopard preservation zone’.
While chairing the 3rd meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee on Climate Change on Monday, the prime minister said that the world must help developing countries to cope with climate change impacts. He added that Pakistan has established its credibility as a ‘green champion’ due to its flagship 10 billion tree program.
The PM said that his party’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had undertaken the initiative of billion tree tsunami and now the whole world is following our footsteps. International community is acknowledging Pakistan’s realistic and tangible steps to mitigate impacts of climate change, he added.
He directed Ministry of Climate Change to review targets and formulate new goals aiming at fast-tracking the steps required to preserve natural environment.
PM says Pakistan doing more to fight climate change
He emphasised that preservation of Pakistan’s National Parks is paramount and we should induct trained manpower and utilize modern technology.
The Prime Minister accorded in-principle approval for the “National Climate Change Policy, 2021” and “National Wildlife Policy, 2021” and directed that a special zone in the Margalla Hills be declared as a leopard preservation zone. He also approved establishment of a Wildlife Information Centre at Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo.
He also directed establishment of a think-tank to coordinate efforts between various ministries and to devise out-of-the-box solutions for climate change mitigation. 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.
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The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Syed Fakhar Imam, Muhammad Hamad Azhar, Chaudhary 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-Baltistan Khalid Khursheed.
Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, Prime Minister AJ&K Sardar Abdul QayyumNiazi and Minister Environment Sindh Ismail Rahu joined the meeting via video link.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021