Punjab Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan directed his squad across the province to teaming up against rising pollution as he started the spring tree plantation campaign at Civil Secretariat on Monday.

The move came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan kick-started the spring campaign in his hometown Mianwali where CM Usman Buzdar accompanied the premier.

“In order to overcome environmental pollution, plantation of more and more trees is need of the hour,” the Punjab chief secretary said in a handout.

He also issued special directives to get public involved in achieving the target of a greener and greater Punjab.

Forest Department Secretary Muhammad Asif briefed the chief secretary about the target, saying that during the campaign, the government would plant 100 million saplings – 68 million in government forests, 2 million in other departments, 4 million in defence department and 25 million at private places.  He also shared the results of previous campaigns.

Senior officials including chairman of planning and development, additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home) and administrative secretaries were present on the occasion.