Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed has summoned a complete record of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa flagship environmental project Billion Tree Tsunami project, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Tuesday while heading a two-member bench of the apex court hearing a matter relating to tree plantation along rivers and canals issued the order.

The CJP also expressed his displeasure as Sindh government counsel has not submitted the record of tree plantation in the province despite the orders given earlier. CJP Gulzar Ahmed remarked that Sindh Irrigation and Environment staff visited Islamabad in such cases only for outing and travelling. “No TA/DA will be given to the officers as they did not submit the record,” he added.

He also remarked that Islamabad Kashmir Highway and Expressway have no proper trees along the roads.

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The court has also summoned the Climate Change Ministry Secretary who is looking after the Billion Tree Tsunami record.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan said the court should be informed about the 10 billion trees as no trees were planted anywhere.

It is pertinent to note that the Billion Tree Tsunami was launched in 2014, by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a response to the challenge of global warming. The project aimed at improving the ecosystems of classified forests, as well as privately owned waste and farmlands. The project was completed in August 2017.

The Supreme Court in its last hearing in October took strong exception to cut off trees in scenic areas and observed that if the situation remains the same, tourism would come to an end in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after five years.

Justice Faisal Arab questioned the status of ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’, adding that forest lands were allotted to private people. He observed that threes should not be planted on papers only, and a report be presented before the apex court.

Punjab additional advocate general told the court that in pursuance of the court’s direction, some 200,000 trees have been planted in the province.