KARACHI, Aug 14: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Friday inaugurated the tree plantation campaign by planting an "Ashok" plant at Chief Minister House after Friday prayers.

He directed the officials of Forest department not only to make the tree plantation a success on mass scale but also ensure their protection and nourishment thereafter.

He pointed out that trees play an important role towards economy of the country and national development and Allah has blessed us with this gift enormously.

The Chief Minister called upon the NGOs and social organizations to fully participate in this campaign and make the campaign a national success.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of Shahida Welfare Trust (SWT) and Chief Editor monthly Subha-e-Nau, Shahida Kausar Farooq has appealed to people to plant at least one tree on the most auspices occasion of our independence.

"We are celebrating 57th Independence Day of our motherland bringing festivities into its wake. However, we should re-think about our expression of joy on this auspicious day", Shahida said in an Independence Day message.

Let us make our national character more effective by conducting ourselves constructively and particularly rather than following the traditional path of celebration, she said and implored the people to literally turn over a new leaf on this day by planting a tree by each citizen of the country.

Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui, on Friday also planted a sapling in Police Lines, Garden, to mark the plantation campaign going-on this month in the city.-APP