PM Imran Khan approves national climate change policy ‘in principle’

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday “in principle” approved the “National Climate Change Policy, 2021” and “National Wildlife Policy, 2021”, said his office.

“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,” said the PM Office in a series of tweets. It added that approval was also granted for the establishment of a Wildlife Information Centre at Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo.

The approval was granted in a meeting of PM’s Committee on Climate Change at the PM Office.

At the onset of the meeting, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam gave a briefing about the nationally determined contributions, climate change policy, national wildlife policy and green climate diplomacy.

The premier’s office said that PM Imran lauded Aslam’s efforts for environmental protection and highlighting Pakistan’s efforts in the field.

Pakistan has established its credibility as a Green champion due to flagship 10 billion tree program (@Plant4Pak) : Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI

World must help developing countries to cope with climate change impacts : Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/Lq19ogrzQk

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) October 13, 2021

“Pakistan has established its credibility as a green champion due to the flagship 10 billion tree programme,” remarked PM Imran. He also urged the world to help developing countries tackle the impact of climate change.

The premier claimed that the whole world was following Pakistan’s footsteps after the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa initiated the billion tree tsunami.

“International community is acknowledging Pakistan’s realistic and tangible steps to mitigate impacts of climate change,” observed PM Imran.

In the meeting, the PM directed Climate Change Ministry to review its targets and develop “new goals” that would fast-track the steps required to preserve the natural environment. Preservation of Pakistan’s national parks is paramount and we should induct trained manpower and utilise modern technology, he emphasised.

The PM also directed the establishment of a think-tank to coordinate efforts between various ministries and to devise out-of-the-box solutions for climate change mitigation.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Syed Fakhar Imam, Hammad Azhar, Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf, state minister Zartaj Gul Wazir, SAPM Dr Shahbaz Gil, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal and Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, and Minister Environment Sindh Ismail Rahu joined the meeting via video link.