Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora has said that planting trees, keeping environment clean and conserving natural resources are national and moral obligations.
Arora stresses collective action to protect environment
LAHORE, Aug 08 (APP): Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora has said that planting trees, keeping environment clean and conserving natural resources are national and moral obligations.
He was speaking at an interfaith seminar “Green Pakistan, United Pakistan” under the theme “Different Religions, One Nation, One Planet” at St. Joseph Catholic Church here on Saturday.
The seminar was held under the auspices of Life for Guardians Foundation (LGF) in connection with the National Minority Week and Independence Day.
Ramesh Singh Arora said the Punjab government, under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is taking effective measures to promote environmentally friendly policies, increase tree plantation, control pollution and address the impacts of climate change.
Former Provincial Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine, Minority Members of the Punjab Assembly Tariq Masih Gill and Wasim Anjum Sandhu, P-CAN Network’s Dar-e-Shehwar, SPO’s Shah Nawaz Khan, columnist Sheeba Gul, Professor Kalyan Singh Kalyan, Father William, Bishop Naeem Prashad, and other religious, social and community leaders also attended the event.
Ramesh Arora said Pakistan is a beautiful bouquet of different religions, cultures and traditions, where all citizens enjoy equal rights. He said National Minority Week and Independence Day convey a message of unity, tolerance, mutual respect and national harmony.
In her welcome address, Executive Director LGF Mehnaz Javed said the objective of the initiative was to bring religious leaders, government representatives, environmentalists, civil society, students and youth onto a common platform to promote joint efforts for environmental protection, climate action, interfaith harmony, national unity and sustainable development.
She said that collective action was essential to create greater awareness about environmental challenges and encourage communities to adopt environmentally responsible practices.
Former Provincial Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine said all religions practiced in Pakistan teach peace, love, service to humanity and respect for nature and the environment.
He said the minority community has always played a positive and constructive role in the development, stability and prosperity of Pakistan. Ijaz Alam Augustine stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure a clean, green and safe environment for future generations.
He said environmental protection is a shared responsibility of the government and the people, and the participation of all segments of society is essential to achieve this objective.
Religious leaders shared their views on environmental protection, peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and national unity. The speakers stressed that all religions promote humanity, respect for nature and the protection of the earth.
Arora also led “Green Pakistan” rally, in which religious leaders, civil society representatives, students and youth participated. The Provincial Minister, along with other participants, also planted a sapling at the church premises, reaffirming the collective commitment to a cleaner, greener and healthier Pakistan.
