Alkhidmat Foundation along with PHA under ‘Smog Free Lahore’ campaign commences mega plantation drive in Lahore

LAHORE, May 24 (SABAH): Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan along with Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) under ‘Smog Free Lahore’ campaign has initiated mega plantation drive in Lahore.

Basic motif of the campaign was to persuade the people to plant maximum trees and provide them healthy environment while making it smog-free.

In connection with this a grand program was held near Lahore Airport which was participated by Vice President of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed Mangat, Director General PHA Tahir Wattoo,Milkar Pakistan’s Project Director Kashaf Shah, Alkhidmat Central Punjab President Ikram Subhani, heads of universities, male and female students, office-bearers and men and women from all walks of live participated.

The drive was started by planting 15,000 trees wherein orphan children as well as other participants of the drive planted saplings on the names of their fathers as well as their beloved ones. Motif behind the drive was to persuade the masses to plant maximum saplings as well as making the environment smog-free.

On this occasion, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Mangat said that Alkhidmat Foundation wanted to plant saplings across the country and during the drive over 1.5 million saplings would be planted. He further stated that youngsters were future of the country and added, “We could set an example by making our country green.”

He maintained that PHA had taken responsibility of taking care of the newly-planted saplings whereas Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan and “Milkar Pakistan” will run awareness campaign while playing its role in planting maximum plants. He added due to lack of trees the issue of smog erupts.

He was of the view that due to lack of trees, issue of pollution as well as diseases are coming into existence whereas plantation will decrease pollution, calling plantation as a perpetual charity. He added they will convert the country into a green one.

On the occasion, Tahir Wattoo said that Alkhidmat Foundation’s human services including “Smog Free Lahore” like drives were laudable and added Pakistan is tackling climate change issue whose solution lies in undertaking maximum plantation. Plantation is need of hour to safeguard ourselves from the negative effects of climate change.”

He said that the PHA in collaboration with different organisations was working for making the environment clean and healthful. He also appealed to the masses to enthusiastically participate in this drive while playing their role in making the environment clean. He assured Alkhidmat Foundation of their full cooperation to make this drive a success.

On the occasion, Kashf Shah said that “Smog Free Drive” initiated by the Alkhidmat was welcoming and added it had taken a big step in the light of climate change issues. He said they hope the drive will bring positive effects in some period of time and continued “we will seriously take steps in this regard to provide a clean and healthful environment to the coming generation.”