Minister questions Imran’s claim about tree plantation

E-Paper | June 23, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid said on Thursday that the statement of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan about the plantation of 100 million saplings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was just an “addition to his false claims”.

In a statement, Mr Rashid said that the PTI leader had not given any detail about the immense workforce required for the job, mode of purchase and transportation of such huge number of saplings.

“Either there was no existence of these trees or the resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government were being plundered under the garb of 100 million trees,” he said.

Also read: PTI declares war against timber smugglers in KP

He urged the media to verify Imran Khan’s claims and asked the PTI chief to arrange a visit of parliamentarians, media personnel and members of civil society to plantation sites.

The minister also asked Imran Khan to make public the source of purchase of 100m saplings, its cost as well as the expenditure incurred on the plantation process. He said the plantation 100m trees seemed to have been carried out so secretly that even the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not know about it.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2015

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Dec 04, 2015 06:32am

"Minister questions Imran’s claim about tree plantation", send the minister to do recount and make him busy.

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Mr. President

Dec 04, 2015 06:33am

PMLN kill trees by building Metro buses and Orange Line train over them and PTI plant new trees. Know the difference Mr. Minister

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patriot

Dec 04, 2015 06:33am

Yaar for sake of God, let the man do some work please.

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lalu pasrassad

Dec 04, 2015 06:34am

well at least he has some claims and he can prove it soon. stop being a puppet .

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Rehan

Dec 04, 2015 06:39am

Imran Khan has a magic stick. Every one should know about it by now, He just gives a few loud and angry speeches and it is done.

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Rahim

Dec 04, 2015 06:43am

These are legitimate concerns. It is simply not possible to mobilise logistics to plant 100 million trees in KPK. where are they going to find vacant land to plant them? KPK simply does not have enough deforested space to have 100 million trees planted. Even if they do start this project, they will not be able to complete it due to monetary and logistical as well as geographical constraints. Imran khan has to come clean and tell the truth about his claims which are not rooted in stable ground on face value.

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Azhar Malik

Dec 04, 2015 06:48am

Seeing is believing. IK should accept the challenge and arrange PR visit to the site. It is not at all a big challenge.

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Baloch Sher

Dec 04, 2015 06:55am

This is hilarious. And true.

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Junaid

Dec 04, 2015 06:56am

Why are you jealous? If someone is working for environment then whata your problem?

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Anees Ahmad

Dec 04, 2015 07:01am

No reason to get jealous, Mr. Minister! You can do 2 billion trees in Punjab if you want instead of talking about KPK!

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People of Pakistan

Dec 04, 2015 07:14am

Just imagine the mentality of Pakistan's Information Minister, looks like he is the lowest IQ kind of brain, who doesn't consider himself the Minister of a Country?? PM should immediately appoint an information minister, with a minimum of 9 out of 10 IQ level, this guy is minus zero.

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Ahmad

Dec 04, 2015 07:24am

@Rehan He is honest man and please dont claim that he is there to fool us by fake claims

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ysk

Dec 04, 2015 07:44am

Not much wrong asking for evidence and a visit. Hoping IK won't make it a grandstanding issue

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zafar

Dec 04, 2015 07:47am

If there is anyone working on reducing Pakistan's carbon footprint - that is Mr Khan. He should be appreciated for this initiative and Punjab and other provinces should follow suit instead of trying to create hurdles for KPK. We have destroyed hundreds of thousands of beautiful trees in our northern areas. It is time to create this treasure trove again and nothing but an effort at the national level is needed to achieve this goal.

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Farooq

Dec 04, 2015 08:39am

It is unfortunate that Fed Govt only interested in roads and metros and damaging green life of Isb/Pindi/Lhr, our generations has to pay a big price for ongoing commercial projects. Dont know why Federal govt has lust for metal!

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Arslan

Dec 04, 2015 08:45am

The PML-N seems to be always in the Opposition even when they form the government. Focus more on your own positives to prove your worth rather than denigrating everybody else.

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Canada

Dec 04, 2015 08:46am

Well Im no fan of PML and prefer PTI over the tried tested and corrupt PML and PPP. However he raises a legitimate question and has every right to question. However one really questions Rashid's intent. Since when is he an honest man that cares where peoples money goes? To my knowledge PTI is the most transparent Prov govt. Mr minister since you are so humble and honest then why not open the books in all provinces including Punjab? His motivation seems more like personal vendetta then good governance for the people. So I agree with him insofar as everyone gets audited. No hiding behind stay orders after more stay orders after supreme court over rulings and so on. We know their tricks

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JS Sheikh

Dec 04, 2015 08:57am

Let's assume, 1 tree takes 25 square feet. 1 billion will take 25 billion sq ft = 23,000 acres = 93 square kilometers. KPK is 74,500 square kilometers. Thus 0.12 percent area of KPK is to be used? There are may be 3 trillion trees in the world! http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34134366

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Mohsin

Dec 04, 2015 09:04am

It is one of the persuation techniques to use numbers to persuade people. People belive on exact numbers which sound more credible. Imran khan uses this technique almost all the time. It's ok to give numerical figures but in this case of "1 million" trees are planted seems to be hilarious. Where are these planted?? which area?? It is analogous to saying we freed 10,000 birds in the sky. I belive that minister question is correct. Lastly, planting and cleaning wont give him vites for next election. he must do something better. cheers

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yousapzai

Dec 04, 2015 09:04am

They have changed their 48 lac votes in GE 2013 into 1 carore and 48 lac votes therefore they think that IK would be also lying. They should appoint a task force to count those saplings now because if IK does the same they will say the report is wrong.

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Justice

Dec 04, 2015 09:09am

Minsters should be worried about eliminating corruption and lawlessness in Pakistan.

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flipflop

Dec 04, 2015 09:13am

Everything does not requires media attention. By the way does any one know whether the trees saplings are local species or foreign

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SIAK

Dec 04, 2015 09:27am

To be honest, IK is very unreliable with his claims...he tends to over-sell and falls short....IK has very little credibility, so yes, the minister does have a point, even though he may not have meant to make that point.

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haider shaikh

Dec 04, 2015 09:29am

The minister should have waited for at least 6 months or so to question about IK's statement then it would have been logical. But giving a statement right after IK's statement puts a question mark on his claim.

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Sceptic

Dec 04, 2015 09:33am

100 million sapling in a year means the KP government was planting 274,000 saplings daily. It is logistical impossibility to procure, transport and plant these many trees daily, hail or sunshine. Add another untruthful (or shall we say political) statement

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Sandhu

Dec 04, 2015 09:37am

@Rahim Dear its five year plan to plant 100 million trees. Its not one day or 1 month plan. If you have visited the places like shangla, swat, Mansehra, Malakand and even Chitral you will there have been numerous deforestation in these area over the years. I visited these places and i can tell you even 1 billion trees are nothing in such waste areas which were full trees once.

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Salman

Dec 04, 2015 09:37am

I think the government needs to consider replicating this model in Punjab too. Even if the number of 10M is exaggerated, the intention is good and people get inspired by such initiatives taken by the leaders and often start taking similar steps themselves.

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Awais Ali

Dec 04, 2015 09:39am

At least someone is concerned about climate and greenery of Pakistan instead of destroying them through roads and Metros. This minister will never tell you about Nandipur project transparency.

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Bilal

Dec 04, 2015 09:44am

@Rahim the project has now made it to the Bonn challenge I am sure they are planting something :)

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Abby

Dec 04, 2015 09:51am

Has Pervez Rashid even done or even said anything constructive in his life? Even if Imran's claim is a bunch of lies, why doesnt he do something environmentally friendly elsewhere and demonstrate to us how it is to be done. As for finances may be he wants to start with Metro,, Nandipur, Raiwind Security, Orange Line (its impact on environment and heritage), and now the proposed sale of Pakistan Embassy in Central London. What a waste of space!

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Diwan

Dec 04, 2015 09:52am

Rahim, If you check reports around you, it will become clear that some nurseries are launched to do the job but majorly these trees throw seeds around them which result in growth of new trees. The major task in the second case is to ensure the safety of saplings. Both of these do not require any extraordinary workforce or financial impetus.

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Farhan

Dec 04, 2015 10:01am

Well, IK claims that everything is transparent in KPK. If it is, then he should give answers to the questions raised by the information minister.

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Hassan Jamil

Dec 04, 2015 10:09am

I have never heard this guy talk about anything else. The only information he has is how Imran Khan is ruining this country. It seems almost as if it came with the job description of Information Minister.

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Dec 04, 2015 10:12am

Instead of playing politics, the Federal Government should not only seriously assist the KP Government in its tree plantation drive but also this drive needs to be replicated in Punjab and other provinces for a greener Pakistan

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Waleed

Dec 04, 2015 10:18am

Just to clarify few things.Minister hasn't gone through the single thing I guess. These plants were distributed among the locals in all over kpk. Each shed had 25000 plants. Three different types of trees were planted in the nurseries 6 to 8 months back and they are almost ready to be picked up and they will be sent for plantation. Locals are benefiting from this as government is paying 6 rupees for each tree. Each local having a nursery has to meet up the number otherwise will be fined. These nurseries were monitored regularly. What I have heard that when all the plants are ready to get planted , government will again give plantation and mantainance jobs to the locals. Locals will be monitored and they will be paid if they have successfully followed the procedure and trees are well planted and maintained. Failure to do so will result in some fine. This seems a fair enough deal I guess.

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Iqbal Bhai

Dec 04, 2015 10:43am

This minister's only job is to speak against PTI. He should spend his time in productive activities.

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aftab

Dec 04, 2015 10:46am

@Rehan... Really dude, I bet you are typical NS follower between Sharif Brothers are the biggest engineers and they forget all their election promises because they are busy in the development of a new invention that will change the dynamics of not only Pakistan but whole world. The already done the initial study and now they are practically trying to resolve all issues like electricity generation, lower taxes, etc, through ADVERTISEMENT. They have master the art of generation electricity through ADVERTISEMENT for instance NEELAM JEHLAM, NANDI PUR and list goes on and on.

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aurangzaib

Dec 04, 2015 10:51am

I think you are the information minister of our country Mr.Rasheed why ask media???

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KPK

Dec 04, 2015 11:06am

What a useless people pakistanis choose as their leaders.

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Emad

Dec 04, 2015 11:11am

Why Doesnt this expert visit kpk?

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Dr Khan

Dec 04, 2015 11:12am

The spin master of PMLN should focus on the measures Punjab goverment has taken for the environment.

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israr

Dec 04, 2015 11:15am

Federal Minister For Imran Khan

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abdullah

Dec 04, 2015 11:24am

Imran is again lying because elections are happening in karachi and punjab.once these are over till the other election he will not remember anything.This is all fake nothing is seen in KPK.its just few areas which they can show.rest is all dreams.

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Abdul Rauf Dogar

Dec 04, 2015 11:25am

lol, when Khan saab please speak some realistic thing, th nation is not stupid that it can't judge ur false claims, 1 billion trees oh my God....

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atif khan

Dec 04, 2015 11:34am

@Rahim have you every been there that you are claiming that there is no land for tree.they are going to plant it every where even on road side

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atif khan

Dec 04, 2015 11:36am

@AW well said .people should help him fed gov should help him.

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M Jamal

Dec 04, 2015 12:31pm

Now the onus is on Imran Khan and KPK Government to prove that 100 million saplings have been planted ,otherwise,it is all bogus claim matching with our past.IK please come with comprehensive personal visit by media and parliamentarians to prove that PTI can deliver and these are not hollow claims.

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Dec 04, 2015 01:01pm

@Diwan Oh, so we will have to count the seeds that are going to be spread by the trees. By the way how many such trees have actually been planted? I guess may be five or ten, as the number of seeds each spreads is in tens of thousands. The problem with us is that we have to have belief and only belief. There is no room for asking for evidence in our culture and society.

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M Rafique

Dec 04, 2015 01:04pm

APP has done a great job to bring such story for the nation, keep it up

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Zeeshan

Dec 04, 2015 01:10pm

as a supporter of this campaign, I will certainly like to see detail of progress and target. Regarding finance, 9 billion was supposed to be provided from confiscated wood from timber mafia. Even if KPK fails to achieve 1 billion target, whatever they achieve is plus. Give them some credit for doing positive things.

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Secular Pathan

Dec 04, 2015 01:26pm

Where did they plant 100 million trees in KPK? I haven't seen any. They did plant FAKE plants on flyovers in Peshawar though!

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azi ahmed

Dec 04, 2015 02:08pm

Mr Minister this is Imran Khan not your government, Imran Khan is a man of his words , integrity, honesty and the leadership .That's why majority of Pakistan love and believe in him.Nice try to damage his reputation.

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The Observer

Dec 04, 2015 02:54pm

Answer to the so called Information Minister. A billion trees instilling hope for a green economy in KP http://www.dawn.com/news/1224157/a-billion-trees-instilling-hope-for-a-green-economy-in-kp

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Sarang

Dec 04, 2015 03:02pm

http://www.dawn.com/news/1224157/a-billion-trees-instilling-hope-for-a-green-economy-in-kp FOR THE supposedly challenging legitimacy

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Blitzer

Dec 04, 2015 03:06pm

Btw, why doesn't this Minister ask his own government to investigate the corruption of Forestry official that fall under the Federal and Punjab gov't?

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Farhan

Dec 04, 2015 03:08pm

Amazing to see the PTI members criticizing Pervaiz Rashid for his geniune questions. If Imran Khan and KPK Government has something to show simply invite the man and media to the plantation site and let him suffer the humility. Other wise it is another of your rheotric and out of the world claim which you will likely deny next year ( Just like the 35 puncture tape)

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Junaid

Dec 04, 2015 03:17pm

Federal minister for misinformation.

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naveed

Dec 04, 2015 03:21pm

@Abdul Rauf Dogar my dear when the Peshawar SKMH opens at the end of this month would we be still asking similar questions?as IK said he will ask Amir Haider Hoti to inaugurate the hospital as the latter donated free state land,what will then one say about IK?muk muka with ANP I guess?come to KPK and see for yourself,sorry but PTI doesn't do full page adds and functions like ones done for Nandipur and Bahawalpur Solar Complex,talking of which very soon than will on the block of Privatisation commission for sale hopefully to Mansha through a front man

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Dec 04, 2015 03:21pm

100 million tree plantation can be achieved if someone is serious. He is best in philanthropy and can also use Govt. funds. Steps needs to be taken

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Belgian

Dec 04, 2015 03:33pm

Why does Pervaiz Rashid comment on this? Why not Zahid Hamid, Riaz Hussain Pirzada or perhaps Muhammad Ishaq Dar. Does media minister means you have to get yourself in the media?

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Ali Abbas

Dec 04, 2015 03:51pm

Pervaiz Rasheed is the right guy to count the trees as he has already been counting chairs in IK jalsas.

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Muhammed Ali UK

Dec 04, 2015 03:52pm

If IK has planted 1 tree that is 1 more than you and your mates all put together.

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Ashfaq Ahmed

Dec 04, 2015 04:11pm

@People of Pakistan Most of the minister of this Govt. are like him or even worse.

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Muhammed Ali UK

Dec 04, 2015 04:14pm

@M Jamal Should not our minister of false information not be getting on with his own job....people are starving under his govt and here he is counting trees

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Anon

Dec 04, 2015 04:59pm

Of course this is his old hobby... First he used to count chairs, now he can go count trees!

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Shahid

Dec 04, 2015 05:00pm

@Rahim you have not claimed to have planted 100 million trees yet. The already planted number is 6,5 million. 100 million is the target. I will appreciate even if they achieve half of that target. It will help our environment enormously.

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Zohaib Ahsan

Dec 04, 2015 05:24pm

Better ask this question from Malik Amin Aslam (from Attock), the brain behind this project. And people who don't know him, see wikipedia !

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Shakil Ahmed Khan

Dec 04, 2015 06:12pm

I think Imran need to run this drive in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan too! People will support him even if its not supported by provincial governments.

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Common man

Dec 04, 2015 06:20pm

Plantation of trees is the easiest scam to get public money. One day money was withdrawn, 2nd day report it in papers that so many trees are planted and one week after another report submitted that all trees are eaton by animals. And distribute all money among all participants of the scam. IK you are great.

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Dilectus

Dec 04, 2015 06:58pm

@Common man - Afterall common sense is not so common for N-league trolls. Federal government has all the machinery why not go expose IK if he's lying, why do press conferences and waste tax payer's money.

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