logo
Ministers discuss 25-year plantation alongside motorways plan

Ministers discuss 25-year plantation alongside motorways plan

ISLAMABAD: A major national initiative is being launched to plant fruit-bearing trees and undertake large scale afforestation along the motorways across the country. A comprehensive 25-year plan is being developed with minimal involvement of government departments proposing to lease land to the private sector for this purpose.
Immediate steps will be taken to make this proposal feasible and actionable which will be a milestone for green future of Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, while chairing a special meeting alongside Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik emphasised that making the environment greener and more pleasant is not only a social responsibility but also a moral and religious obligation.
He stressed the need for integrated planning to plant trees not only along motorways from Karachi to Quetta but also on National Highways in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
He called upon agricultural experts and farmers to actively participate in this noble cause and national drive.
Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik directed the preparation of concrete proposals within the next three days and agreed to the implementation of the plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications.
Aleem Khan assured full support from his ministry in terms of data sharing, land identification and other necessary aspects. He emphasised that improving the environment and enhancing the travel experience on motorways is a top priority and fruit trees should be planted according to the agricultural suitability of each region.
He stated that expanding green areas along the motorways would have a positive impact and this project would play a significant role in ensuring an eco-friendly future.
The meeting was attended by the chairman of the National Highways Authority, Inspector General of Motorway Police, and senior officials from the Ministry of Climate Change, who contributed various suggestions for the project.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Govt seeks Chinese, AIIB support for road projects
Govt seeks Chinese, AIIB support for road projects

Express Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Govt seeks Chinese, AIIB support for road projects

Listen to article Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held a detailed meeting with Chairman of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Du Fei, during his visit to Tianjin. The focus was on expanding Chinese investment in Pakistan's road infrastructure. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in road development, especially projects like the Mansehra-Naran-Jhal Kand Motorway. Investment opportunities, technical assistance, and future collaboration were also reviewed, said a statement issued on Friday. Fei explained that CRBC, a major Chinese state-owned firm, operates in over 70 countries across Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. He expressed interest in expanding operations in Pakistan and called it an honour to contribute to its infrastructure. Between 1995 and 2023, CRBC was involved in key projects such as the Sukkur Bypass, Karakoram Highway, and Karachi Coastal Highway. Since last year, it has shown interest in new ventures like the ML-1 Railway Project, Pakistan Refinery upgrades, Lahore Airport expansion, and the Raikot-Thakot Highway. Aleem Khan assured CRBC of full support and welcomed its role in strengthening Pakistan's road infrastructure. In another meeting, the minister met senior officials of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), including Chief Investment Officer Konstantin Limitovskiy and Director General Public Sector Xiaohong Yang. He presented the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad and M-9 Karachi-Hyderabad motorways as investment options. He said these projects link trade hubs to Karachi Port and are vital for economic growth. Developing road infrastructure is a top government priority, he added. The minister said AIIB's partnership could speed up Pakistan's development. He noted that Pak-China friendship supports regional connectivity and prosperity. He also mentioned that several Chinese financial institutions are already funding infrastructure projects in Pakistan. Aleem Khan reaffirmed the government's aim to attract more foreign investment in roads and connectivity. He said infrastructure investment leads to job creation and economic growth. Senior AIIB officials expressed interest in supporting Pakistan's development initiatives and voiced hope for positive outcomes from the discussions.

Malik calls for climate-resilient projects
Malik calls for climate-resilient projects

Express Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Malik calls for climate-resilient projects

Listen to article Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Musadik Malik, participated in the FfD4 side event titled "Swapping out Debt for Development: The DSC Financing Approach", held in Seville, Spain. According to a statement released on Thursday, the mnister joined the session alongside Pakistan's Federal Minister for Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Shezra Mansab Ali Khan. Participants deliberated on innovative financial approaches to align debt relief with investments in climate resilience and development priorities. During the session, Malik discussed the need for climate-resilient projects and emphasised the importance of exploring avenues for green energy production, particularly solar energy. He emphasised that sustainable development must go hand in hand with debt relief and green innovation. He also highlighted the potential of oceans and rivers as untapped resources that could contribute meaningfully toward sustainable development. "Our focus should be on long-term climate resilience rather than short-term relief," Malik said during the session.

Pakistan, Russia to strengthen road & rail links
Pakistan, Russia to strengthen road & rail links

Express Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Pakistan, Russia to strengthen road & rail links

Pakistan and Russia have agreed to enhance road and rail connectivity between their countries through Central Asia, in a bid to boost regional trade and economic cooperation. The development came during a bilateral meeting between Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Russian Deputy Minister of Transport Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin, held on the final day of the SCO Ministerial Conference in Tianjin, said a press release issued here on Thursday. The discussion emphasized accelerating the construction of Highways among regional countries to facilitate this connectivity.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store