President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have jointly appealed to the public to turn off lights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm tonight for Earth Hour.
The initiative emphasizes collective action to protect the environment and encourage sustainable living.
President Zardari highlighted that Earth Hour is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a reminder of the urgent need for practical environmental measures. “Give an Hour for Earth invites everyone to reconsider their lifestyle choices while taking steps to save energy,” he said.
The President noted that Pakistan, despite contributing less than one percent to global emissions, faces severe climate impacts. Recent floods, heat waves, and droughts have caused uncertainty for farmers, strained urban power systems, and damaged critical infrastructure due to water shortages and extreme weather.
Govt’s environmental initiatives
Both leaders emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s climate resilience. President Zardari pointed to programs like the Green Pakistan Program, which aims to increase forest cover and create jobs, as well as “Living Indus” and “Recharge Pakistan” projects focused on environmental restoration and water sustainability.
Prime Minister Sharif reinforced these messages, noting the installation of modern warning systems in flood-prone areas and the government’s commitment to advancing climate-resilient development. He said Earth Hour is a reminder that “today’s decisions will determine the future of generations to come.”
Call for eco-friendly lifestyle
The President and Prime Minister both appealed to citizens to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle, conserve energy, and actively participate in environmental protection.
“Every individual has a role in reducing their environmental impact,” the President said, encouraging practical actions beyond the one-hour symbolic lights-off.
