ISLAMABAD, July 12 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said since environment protection was among the foremost priorities of the present government, tree plantation had very important role in that regard.

The measures taken by the Government of Pakistan for environment protection were being recognized at international level, he added.

The Prime Minister expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held here regarding the monsoon tree plantation.

Special Assistant to PM for Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam was present in the meeting which was attended through video-link by Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Provincial Minister for Forests Muhammad Sabtain Khan, Special Assistant to CM Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Chief Secretary Punjab Jawad Rafiq Malik and other senior officers.

Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib was also present in the meeting.

The Prime Minister was briefed in detail about the targets and strategy of Punjab province regarding monsoon tree plantation and was told that Punjab will play an effective role in the current monsoon tree plantation.

The meeting was told that as against a mere 10 million saplings planted during 2016 to 2018 by the previous government in Punjab, the present government had so far planted millions of saplings and trees in the province.

Provincial Forests Minister told the meeting that the Forests Department had set six-monthly targets for Greener Punjab.

Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) briefed the meeting about tree plantation drive in the federal capital.

The Prime Minister said that Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province through the Billion Tree Tsunami had set an example for others to follow.

He directed for early finalization of the plan regarding tree plantation at divisional and districts levels in the province of Punjab.

The Prime Minister further directed for the adoption of modern means not only for tree plantation but for the monitoring of plantation drive and its results.

He also directed to focus on ensuring the effective participation of tiger force, students, civil society as well as public and private institutions in the tree plantation campaign.