KARACHI: Karachi Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday inaugurated a tree plantation campaign at the Aga Khan Park in Clifton.

Talking to the media, he said that the city’s municipal administration needed full cooperation of public for the elimination of environmental pollution. “Every citizen must plant at least one tree to meet the shortage of trees,” he said.

Barrister Wahab, who is also the provincial government’s spokesperson and chief minister’s law adviser, said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation would further improve city’s parks and at the same time make the entire city green and lush. “In order to cope with global warming and climate change, it is important to promote a culture of tree plantation. We must work now to meet the challenges of the future,” he added.

He said that Karachi was a major industrial and business hub and all major cities of this type in the world were using state-of-the-art methods to control environmental pollution, with the establishment of Miyawaki forests at the forefront.

Praises Ismaili community services for city

“Fortunately, Karachi has also become one of the cities in the world where Miyawaki forests are being created,” he said.

While appreciating the services of Ismaili community for Karachi, he said the provincial government was bringing together different communities especially those who were already engaged in various fields in an organised manner.

He said that trees were being planted along all major and important roads, footpaths and greenbelts of the city during the plantation campaign and the KMC parks department was taking special measures for their protection and growth.

Meanwhile, Political and Economic Chief of Consulate General of Japan Kirara Nakamura on Monday called on Barrister Wahab at the KMC head office and discussed issues pertaining to mutual interests.

The administrator said that Japan and Pakistan had a long and friendly relationship.

He said that Japan had made tremendous progress in the field of industry and technology in a short period of time, which was why there was a worldwide demand for Japanese products. “Indust­rial enterprises in Pakistan can benefit greatly from Japan’s financial and technical assistance,” he added.

The diplomat conveyed the best wishes of the Japanese government to the administrator and expre­ssed interest in the ongoing development work in the city.

The administrator also presented a shield on behalf of the KMC to the visiting diplomat.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2021