Federal Minister joins hands with public and private partners to expand tree plantation drive aimed at fighting climate change impacts in Pakistan’s capital.
Islamabad witnessed a renewed push toward environmental revival as a large-scale plantation drive took place at F-6/3 Hill View Park, bringing together government leadership, students, and corporate partners under the “Clean and Green Islamabad” initiative.
The event gained momentum with the participation of Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musaddiq Malik, who joined students in planting saplings and emphasized the urgency of climate action in Pakistan.
Organized jointly by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, and the Capital Development Authority, the initiative also received corporate support from The Coca-Cola Company, which supplied 5,000 saplings as part of its sustainability commitment.
A parallel art competition added color to the campaign, where students from various schools showcased creative paintings themed around environmental protection and urban cleanliness. The participants later joined the plantation activity, turning the event into a blend of awareness and action.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Musaddiq Malik highlighted that each allergic paper mulberry tree removed in Islamabad is being replaced with three new saplings under the government’s environmental restoration strategy. He stressed that such initiatives are not symbolic but part of a structured climate response plan.
He also acknowledged previous collaborations with private sector partners, including Zong and Hum Network Limited, stating that public-private partnerships are essential for scaling environmental efforts nationwide.
The minister warned about the escalating consequences of climate change, referencing recent floods that caused widespread destruction, displacement of families, and severe disruption to children’s education. He emphasized that many children affected by climate disasters are unable to return to school, underlining the long-term social cost of environmental neglect.
He further explained that forests function as a natural carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, but rising emissions are accelerating glacier melt, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and extreme flooding across the country.
Corporate representatives also reiterated their commitment to sustainability. A senior official from Coca-Cola noted that the company will continue monitoring and maintaining the planted saplings for at least 12 months, ensuring long-term survival and impact.
Officials from the Ministry, including the Secretary Climate Change, Director General of Pakistan EPA, and Inspector General of Forests, also attended the event, reinforcing institutional commitment to expanding green cover in the federal capital.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition in Pakistan that climate resilience requires coordinated action between government bodies, private sector partners, and civil society, particularly in vulnerable urban centers like Islamabad.
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