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Pakistan has lost 20% of its forest acreage due to urbanisation.

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According to PIDE, with around 27,000 hectares of forest removal per year, Pakistan has the lowest rate of forestation in the world in its most recent study, “Challenges and Opportunities of The Billion Tree Tsunami Project (TBTTP)”. The study found that Bangladesh and Pakistan had the largest percentages of private forest land ownership in South Asia—36% and 34%, respectively.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has Pakistan’s largest forest area, followed by Sindh, Punjab, ex-Fata, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), in that order. According to the study, the primary causes of deforestation in Pakistan include the country’s rapidly expanding population, growing urbanisation, extreme poverty, and lack of energy sources like gas.

Furthermore, the study shows that the development of extensive road systems for individual mobility and infrastructure in cities like Lahore and Islamabad has negatively impacted forestation. Pakistan has less than one billion trees, making it one of the nations with the fewest amounts of trees worldwide.

Pakistan has just five trees per person and 1,131 trees per sq km (more than Afghanistan in South Asia). According to study, 900 trees per person are needed for sustainable development.

The largest totals are found in the nations with the largest landmasses. The world’s tree population is largest in Russia (642 billion), followed by Canada (318 billion), Brazil (302 billion), and the United States (228 billion). Pakistan has less than one billion trees, making it one of the nations with the fewest amounts of trees worldwide.

Pakistan’s overall forest acreage has shrunk by 20% since 2000. In 2021, the percentage of Pakistan’s land area covered by forests was 4.8% (36.9 sq km) out of a total land area of 770.8 sq km, whereas in 2000 it was 5.9% (45.1 sq km). Pakistan clears over 27,000 hectares of forest annually, of which half are utilised for cooking and heating in homes without access to gas.

Pakistan’s forest cover is far less than the global average of 31.2%, which is higher than the average values of 18.9% in South Asia, 24.4% in India, and 14.5% in Bangladesh. According to PIDE study, “a country should ideally have 25% forest cover for a healthy environment.”

The country’s total forest acreage is distributed differently, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounting for the largest portion at 32.7%. Other regions with higher percentages include Sindh (14.8%), Punjab (12.4%), Ex-Fata (11.9%), Balochistan (11.1%), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (9.6%), and Gilgit-Baltistan (7%).

According to research, “dry temperate forests account for the largest share of the country’s forest cover area, accounting for 36% of it. Sub-tropical broadleaved shrubs (19%), moist temperate forests (15%), Chir Pine forests (13%), Riverine (4%), irrigated plantations (4%), thorn (3%), mangrove (3%) and subalpine forests (2%) are the next most common forest cover types.

Furthermore, PIDE’s research indicates that the country’s rate of forestation has decreased over time due to factors including high levels of poverty, increasing urbanisation, fast population increase, and energy scarcity. Large tracts of forest have been cut down by locals and timber mafias. Individuals who lack access to electricity or do not receive it sometimes rely on wood fires for warmth, cooking, and illumination.

It also mentions that there are 11 million hectares of privately held forests in South Asia, and that number is growing. The largest percentage of privately owned woods are in Pakistan and Bangladesh (36% and 34%, respectively, in 2010). Future sustainable forest management may be seriously impacted by a rise in the percentage of privately owned woods.

Among all forest ownership groups, indigenous people own the least, and their share is decreasing. This might have detrimental effects on the preservation of forests as well as the  empowerment of indigenous people, who are already among the most deprived.

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PTI and JUI (Sherani) decide to proceed by consensus.

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Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sherani) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have agreed to proceed together.

Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, the leader of JUI (Sherani), met with Barrister Dr. Saif, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Information Advisor.

The conference also included former senator Aslam Buledi and former federal minister Muhammad Ali Durrani.

The discussion focused on promoting reconciliation, political cooperation, and collective progress in the country. In addition, Barrister Dr. Saif read Fatiha and expressed sympathy for Maulana Sherani’s wife’s demise.

Barrister Saif recognized Maulana Sherani as a respected religious and political person, a senior member of parliament, and an expert in constitutional law during the meeting. He said that Maulana Sherani’s services are greatly valued by PTI founder Imran Khan and the party, and they hope he will play an active role in promoting trust, cooperation, and national reconciliation.

Maulana Sherani was invited to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Barrister Saif on behalf of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani emphasized the importance of reconciliation in guiding the nation away from conflict and proposed that Muhammad Ali Durrani be instrumental in promoting this process.

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Business

SFD and Pakistan Sign Two Deals Totaling $1.61BLN

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Two agreements totaling $1.61 billion have been inked by Pakistan and the Saudi Fund for Development to improve their bilateral economic cooperation.

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‘Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan’ is a new song teased by ISPR for Solidarity Day

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A new anthem, “Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan,” was issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday (tomorrow) in honor of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Every year on February 5, Kashmir Solidarity Day is commemorated to show solidarity with the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

Renowned musician Ahmed Jahanzeb sings the song, which sends a powerful message of solidarity and dedication to the liberation fighters of Held Kashmir.

Imran Raza wrote the words, while Irfan Saleem and Kamran Khan composed the music.

The song was composed especially to commemorate the momentous day and to reaffirm support for the courageous and tenacious people of Kashmir, who are fighting for their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by the documents of united nations

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