The shocking stall in IMF bailout talks has left Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar astounded, as their once-reliable tactic of manipulating figures to appease the IMF team seems to have lost its effect. IMF team having been bitten by this setback multiple times, their caution is understandable.
Moreover, the news of Shell Petroleum’s closure, a company that has been intertwined with our history since its days as the British Oil Company, has sent shockwaves through the community, including my dear friend Zahoor Iqbal, who shared a nostalgic photo with me. However, amidst these jarring developments, I find myself shell-shocked by the encroachment upon a precious natural water channel.
This unfortunate event took place in the restricted and reserved Margalla National Park in Maknial , falling under the jurisdiction of the Galliate Development Authority, whose office is located in Abbottabad. Left with no recourse, I turned to the bold and brave Riaz Khan Mehsud, who once valiantly and single – handedly confronted the timber mafia to protect our environment.
With the looming threat of devastating monsoon rains, history repeating itself, I ponder whether the Honourable DG of the Galliate Development Authority Mr. Wasif Saeed will lend a sympathetic ear to the plea of this honorable public servant through whose reference I will be making a personal call on him today at his office as the commercial builder who reportedly encroached the Natural Rainwater Channel restricting its outflow is already in the process to obtain the illegal No Objection Certificate from GDA that will tantamount to environmental disaster unless the GDA disapprove of such illegal encroachment and save the last stretch of natural forest from the human greed.
After all promotion of tourism in no way means destruction of our environment and ecosystem to help life sustain as money alone is not enough to sustain life unless supported by the nature and its gifts to humans whether forests that serves as oxygen factories to keep the environment cool and result into frequent rains recharge the earth aquifers and sustain million of species that depend on them for their right to survive on this planet .
As Pakistan navigates this tumultuous roller coaster ride of shocks and crashes, it is imperative that we reaffirm our commitment to the nation’s prosperity and well-being. Let us rally behind the ideals of a resilient Pakistan that not only survives the trials but emerges stronger from the wreckage, nurturing a future that thrives for all its citizens. Long live Pakistan! 🇵🇰