By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched the government’s Clean Green Pakistan initiative — a countrywide cleanliness drive.
Pakistan is the second South Asian nation to launch countrywide cleanliness drive after India. New Delhi had launched a five-year Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in 2014 that aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, towns, and rural areas.
“Islamabad’s slums have turned into garbage dumps while clean water springs have become sewage drains. If we resolve to change things, every problem can be solved,” PM Imran said while launching the campaign in the capital, Islamabad.
He stressed the importance of involving children in the initiative. “We will reiterate the importance of keeping the country clean to our children,” he said.
PM Imran announced that a cleanliness competition will be launched on the tehsil level. He added that garbage dumping sites will be created in tehsils and villages.
“The government, civil society, and students will participate in this initiative. We will also appoint ambassadors of Clean Green Pakistan,” the prime minister said, adding he was hopeful that the cleanliness drive will grow after people will see visible changes in their surroundings.
The PM also announced that the government will take religious scholars on board. “We will request prayer leaders in mosques to appeal to the people to take part in the cleanliness drive,” the premier said.
