Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned that the government will take action against the mafia involved in occupying forest lands.

Addressing a gathering while inaugurating “Revival of the Forests” project by planting a tree in Kandian on Sunday, PM Imran Khan said “Although the plantation of trees is vital for our survival, the people of Pakistan do not realise their significance.”

The Prime Minister maintained if the people continued to destroy the forests the climate change would destroy our future.

While reiterating its importance, the PM said “All schools in Pakistan should add a subject relating to tree plantation,” lamenting that it is a pity that they have destroyed the forests the Britishers had left to them.

“The Britishers had left trees in Tandiyan spanning around 20,000 acres of land, half of the region was covered with their shade. Now I see from above, as I was in a helicopter, even the forests are destitute of trees.”

Recalling the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUM), emphasizing the plantation, the PM said: “There was an insight that led the greatest leader of the mankind to say so.”

Reiterating the importance of plantation in Pakistan, the PM also recalled the Arabs who planted trees when they settled in Spain in 711 AD.

“I’m only five years younger to Pakistan; I saw the gradual ruin of the forests.”

The PM said that he came to Piplan for a special reason, adding that it is our duty to invest in the small regions. While lamenting that the western part of Pakistan lagged behind compared to the rest of the country, Imran said: “Only a handful of people have progressed at the expense of the entire population.”

He said that a country progresses by investing in small regions, adding that his mission is the same as was upheld by Quaid-i-Azam.

The PM said that the Punjab government is investing in Mianwali, adding that he is happy that the government has now turned its attention towards the improvement of the hospitals. “Earlier the people from the far-flung areas had to rush to Lahore during a medical emergency.”

Alluding to the recent price hike in vegetables, Imran said: “We’re plentifully blessed with the agricultural resources that there should never be such a price hike in the first place.”

About the timber mafia, the PM said such people should be put behind bars who are involved in the logging and cutting of trees.

According to 24newshd.tv, the local administration removed several small plants to clear the place where the prime minister addressed the ceremony. They also brought in schoolchildren and teachers in buses to attend the ceremony.