ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan’s government, under the Green Pakistan Programme, is planting 41.7 million saplings nationwide and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to combat climate change, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launching the 2025 Spring Tree Plantation Drive.
As part of the expansion of the Green Pakistan Programme, the government has announced plans to plant 41.7 million saplings across the country, including all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
According to official figures, Punjab will see the plantation of, 12.87 million saplings, followed by Azad Kashmir with 10.147 million and Sindh with 10 million. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2.633 million saplings will be planted, while Balochistan will receive 2.062 million. Gilgit Baltistan is set to have four million saplings as part of the initiative.
The programme will feature a variety of native and beneficial tree species, including kikar, jand, amaltas, shisham, sukh chain, phulai, chir, kail, deodar, peepal, neem, beri, jamun, tamarind, and chilgoza. Different areas of Pakistan support these selected trees that provide environmental advantages and excellent growing performance.
The plantation campaign seeks national involvement through approximately 2,047 plantations that will occur across different regions in Pakistan. The government’s commitment to climate change mitigation is demonstrated through this year’s target which exceeds last year’s monsoon tree plantation results of 40.526 million.
2025 Spring Tree Plantation Drive
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally inaugurated the 2025 Spring Tree Plantation Drive as part of the Green Pakistan initiative. At the launch event, held at the Prime Minister’s House, he planted a chir pine sapling and urged the nation to actively take part in the campaign.
Speaking at the occasion, the prime minister emphasised the importance of tree plantation in mitigating climate change and preventing diseases. He called on citizens, especially the youth and farmers, to contribute to the initiative.
“This drive will play a crucial role in improving the environment and addressing climate-related challenges,” he said. He further stressed that the growing effects of climate change in recent years had made large-scale afforestation efforts essential for the country’s future.
The Up-Scaling of Green Pakistan Programme aims to not only restore Pakistan’s forests but also to promote sustainable environmental practices nationwide.
