KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) launched a “Green Karachi” campaign on Saturday to help reverse the megacity’s environmental decline. Karachi’s tree cover has dropped to just 2 percent, turning it into a concrete jungle.
JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan announced the drive at a seminar organised by the party’s women’s wing at Idara Noor-e-Haq. He said planting trees is an ongoing charity for future generations and urged all citizens to join the effort.
The campaign will plant trees at government schools, public hospitals, parks, major roads, and other public spaces.
Monem Zafar also asked residents to plant and protect trees at their homes, in courtyards, and on rooftops. He congratulated the women’s wing for starting the initiative.
With Karachi’s population above 35 million, the JI leader cited research showing one tree is needed for every seven people. This means the city requires about five million trees to meet the target.
He criticised development projects that cut down thousands of trees.
He specifically mentioned the Red Line project, which he said removed an estimated 14,000 trees along University Road. He pointed to successful urban forests in Singapore and Australia as models and praised local plantation efforts in Liaquatabad and Gulberg towns.
Jawadan Faheem, chief of JI’s women’s wing, said tree plantation is not a one-time activity. It needs constant effort and practical action. She said everyone in society must help protect Karachi from rising temperatures and climate change. She urged women to promise to plant and care for at least one tree this year. She also called for plantation drives in girls’ and primary schools to build environmental awareness in children.
Separately, Monem Zafar announced that the women’s wing will hold a protest march on Shahrah-e-Quaideen on August 3 at 3:30pm.
The march will oppose the petroleum levy, which he called an “extortion tax”. JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman will address the rally. He appealed to women from across Karachi to take part in large numbers.
The seminar featured a panel discussion titled “Green Karachi, Every-one’s Responsibility”. Environmental experts, lawyers, health specialists, teachers, and civil society members took part in it.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026