MIANWALI: Stressing the importance of trees for the country’s future, Prime Minister Imran Khan has proposed that the people involved in cutting trees should be dealt with an iron hand and instead of imposing fine on them, they should be put behind bars as a strict warning for others.

He was speaking at a public meeting here on Sunday.

PM Khan inaugurated the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme at Kundian Forest, situated on the Mianwali-Multan road 15 kilometres from here, by planting a Pilkhan tree.

He said plantation of trees was necessary for the bright future of the country. The importance of tree plantation must be taught to children as a subject in schools across the country, he said, adding that every Pakistani should be aware of its importance.

The prime minister said Kundian Forest, which was developed during the British era in the sub-continent, spread over nearly 20,000 acres. Unfortunately, due to constant negligence only a few trees were now left in this forest, he added. He recalled that when he came to Mianwali in his childhood there was a thick jungle in Kundian.

Says difficult times should be taken as part of learning, soul searching

Mr Khan said he was optimistic that he would be able to make Pakistan a real Muslim welfare state.

He said that a better water management and planning for agriculture could make the country able to avoid shortage of important crops, like wheat, cotton, sugarcane, etc.

Talking about the shortage of water in Khattak Belt, he said a survey in this regard had been completed and the project would soon be launched to provide water to the people of this hilly area.

He said the performance of police in the area was being improved.

Namal University’s convocation

According to APP, PM Khan later attended the 7th convocation of Namal University.

Speaking on the occasion, he urged students to identify a roadmap of life with clear objectives for achieving their aims and always learn from life’s bitter lessons.

He said man was created with certain objectives. Allah Almighty has bestowed upon human beings with different potentials which are often left unattended.

People could achieve everything they had pictured or dreamt of in the life. In this struggle, human being could stumble over hurdles and difficulties. But these stumbling blocks should not lead people to frustration, he advised a cheering assembly of students and faculty members.

The prime minister said difficult times should be taken as part of learning and soul searching which enable a person to explore factors behind failures. Once, he said, these lessons were learnt coupled with high-level education they could help enhance the human capabilities to analyse these factors.

He said Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal wanted the establishment of a true Islamic welfare state on the pattern of the world’s first welfare state of Madina which was established by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

He said it was the most successful model for the world to emulate and a great civilisation emerged on the basis of these modern principles.

The prime minister welcomed and thanked UAE minister Sheikh Nah­yan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Sheikh Nahyan for attending the event.

He said that on behalf of the people of Pakistan, he offered his gratitude over the way the leadership of the United Arab Emirates stood by Pakistan at a time when it needed friends.

The prime minister also mentioned the support extended by the leaderships of Saudi Arabia and China which helped his government manage the national economy.

In his address, the UAE minister lauded contribution of the university through vigorous commitment.

He said that he was attending the ceremony to express pride, solidarity, friendship, brotherhood and cooperation which existed between the two brotherly countries.

The UAE minister said the people and leaderships of both the countries were celebrating their commitment to growth and cooperation in all spheres of life. The UAE people felt pride in calling Pakistan a brother and friend, he added.

The fraternal ties between the brotherly countries enjoyed strong support from their people and leaderships, he said.

Earlier, Namal University Vice Chancellor Sikandar Mustafa gave an overview and performance of the university.

Rector Arif Nazeer Butt said they were continuously in the process of learning which increased wisdom with aims for bigger challenges and exposure.

He said that competency and commitment were keys to success and they were striving to build a sustainable institution by upholding merit.

The prime minister, as chairman of the university, awarded degrees and awards among the students of different faculties.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2020