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Friday, October 4, 2024

NBP & Green Pakistan: A march towards a cleaner future

News Desk |

Climate change has been highlighted as the challenge of the century. Pakistan has been highlighted as being among the most vulnerable countries to the menace. This was why the PTI even before coming to power had started a campaign to combat climate change. The effort strengthened after the PTI formed the federal government.

Dubbed as “Green Pakistan”, it consists of massive tree plantations and shoring up water reserves. On October 8, 2018, PM Khan, while launching the countrywide ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’ campaign, urged people from all social strata to make it a success by actively participating in it. “This campaign is for our future. Everyone has to partake in it,” the prime minister urged, lamenting: “Pakistan is a gift but unfortunately we haven’t paid attention to its beautification.”

NBP is one of the three largest banks in Pakistan – along with Habib Bank and UBL. State Bank requires these premier banking institutions to maintain larger reserves for stability.

The PM’s bid for a clean and green Pakistan has since then been boosted by the participation of several companies in the process. The National Bank of Pakistan is one such key national institution which has started to take part in the process as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

Following the declaration, NBP in a bid to mitigate the impact of climate change and global warming and capitalizing on PM’s Clean and Green Pakistan campaign, planted saplings at Wali Khan University, in Mardan as part of national tree plantation drive of the government. This was followed up in November when the NBP 2nd Committee meeting for “NBP Green Pakistan Tree plantation Drive” was held at Governor house Peshawar.

Read more: PM’s “Clean & Green Pakistan” campaign gets a boost from NBP

The meeting was Chaired by Mr. Shah Farman Governor KP In presence of Mr. Shaukat Mehmood Group Head Service Quality group NBP HO Karachi, Ms. Saima Rahim RH (KP), Finance Minister Taimour Jhagra, Forest Minister Ishtiaq Urmar, Agriculture Minister Mohib Ullah, Secretary Agriculture Israr Ullah and other attended the meeting. In the first phase, NBP would plant tree preferably fruit trees at Regi Model Town, DHA, Hayatabad, Defence and Highways.

Later on, the drive is to be extended to other areas of KP. Governor named the Drive “Fruit for All” at a provincial level. Moreover, Governor insured full cooperation at government level for Success of NBP Tree plantation Drive and advised all technical team to fully cooperate with NBP.

Pakistan is among the frontline states against Climate Change, it already is feeling the impact of the phenomenon through water shortages, increased level of pollution and recurring heat waves.

In October 2018, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President Tariq Jamali met the Prime Minister Imran Khan to hand over a cheque of Rs19.5 million as a contribution for the construction of ‘Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund 2018 set up on the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, earlier this year. According to an official statement, the employees of National Bank of Pakistan have ‘voluntarily and wholeheartedly contributed one day salary for the construction of dams.’

Furthermore, NBP President Tariq Jamali informed the PM that in response to the government of Pakistan for donations/contributions from both domestic and international donors, an account with the name of “Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund-2018” had been established at all branches of National Bank of Pakistan.

The inclusion of NBP in the Clean and Green Pakistan campaign is a welcome sight as Pakistan is in dire need of all hands. NBP is one of the three largest banks in Pakistan – along with Habib Bank and UBL. State Bank requires these premier banking institutions to maintain larger reserves for stability.

Read more: NBP donates Rs. 19.5 Million in Diamer Bhasha Dam Fund

Pakistan is among the frontline states against Climate Change, it already is feeling the impact of the phenomenon through water shortages, increased level of pollution and recurring heat waves. Only through the response by key national institutions can the nation save itself from the debilitating effects of Climate change.