Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is determined to save the country from desertification, Special Assistant Romina Khurshid Alam. More than 68% of Pakistan’s land is classified as barren or semi-barren, and the country is facing the threat of desertification. The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant, Romina Khurshid Alam, said that as the global community celebrates World Desert Day on June 17, Pakistan is facing a critical juncture in the fight against desertification and land degradation. The theme of World Desert Day 2024, “Restore, Land, Climate”, resonates with the government’s commitment to combat desertification through restoration and rehabilitation efforts. Pakistan is a signatory to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and is working with international partners to address this issue. Various projects and initiatives have been launched with the support of international organizations to enhance Pakistan’s capacity to combat desertification. The government has taken concrete steps to address the issue of desertification, including the Green Pakistan Program, Climate-Smart Agriculture, National Adaptation Initiative, Living Indus, Climate-Resilient Urban Planning and Management, Recharge Pakistan, and Sustainable Land Management practices. The government is working to raise awareness about the effects of desertification and involve local communities, development partners, and civil society organizations in the efforts to combat desertification. The Special Assistant emphasized that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the desertification situation in Pakistan, which requires integrating environmental, economic, and social strategies and involving local communities and all relevant stakeholders to achieve sustainable land use and protect the livelihoods of affected people. As we celebrate World Desert Day in Pakistan, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to protect our natural heritage, preserve our land resources, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.”