Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said that the importance of tree plantation for the future of the country should be taught to the youth in schools across Pakistan.

The premier was addressing an event after arriving in Kundian, Mianwali to inaugurate the spring tree plantation drive.

"I want all the people of Piplan especially the youth to listen to me carefully because your youth don't yet realise the importance of tree plantation for Pakistan.

"I want that the importance of this (tree plantation) for Pakistan's future is taught as a subject to children in school," he said.

He recalled that when he came to Mianwali in his childhood there was a jungle in Kundian but today when he viewed the area from his helicopter he could see no trees.

"And the people of Pakistan don't know the importance of jungles," he said.

"We don't know the blessings God has given us. How many of you know that God has given Pakistan 12 seasons? How many countries have 12 seasons? Every sort of thing and fruit can grow in Pakistan."

He said that often goods such as sugar and vegetables become expensive in Pakistan.

"In this country, things should never become expensive because with the land we have been given and the water and seasons we have been given, we should be providing these products to the world.

"There should never a shortage of anything here. It is our fault that we did not make the correct use of the blessings God have given us (Pakistan)."

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran received a briefing of the spring tree plantation drive. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is also accompanying the premier.

In a recent interview to Belgium-based TV network VRT, replying to a question on climate change, the prime minister said his government had set targets of 10 billion tree plantation in Pakistan, which would improve environment and forest cover and bring back wildlife.

He, however, pointed out that Pakistan was also likely to be affected by climate change more than other countries because the country depended on rivers and 80pc of water in its rivers came from glaciers.

“Because of global warming, these glaciers are melting fast and that is a big worry for us,” he added.

’Follow your passion’, PM advises Namal University’s graduating class

During his visit to Mianwali, the premier also attended Namal University’s convocation ceremony and advised the students from the graduating class to take the path less trodden.

“Follow your heart, passion comes from the heart. What your passion is, that will propel you. In a competition of talent versus passion, passion will always win […] and when you take a decision, burn your boats.”

He advised them to set the right direction for themselves, and said that whatever they “can imagine can be done”.

He encouraged the students to not be demoralised during difficult times and use their education to analyse their mistakes correctly.

“The only one of you who will succeed is the one who challenges himself,” he said.

“Difficult times come to teach you, man does soul-searching in difficult times … your education gives you an advantage.”

The PM also talked about his vision for the university and thanked the architect, Toni Ashai, for creating a masterplan that made him “see for the first time how this will become the Oxford of Pakistan and the city of knowledge in the country”.

The prime minister also congratulated the parents on their children’s achievements and expressed the hope that the graduated students will “lift up themselves, their parents and their country”.