ISLAMABAD: National Highway Authority is undertaking afforestation programme along Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1). For this purpose, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between National Highway Authority (NHA) and Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) at NHA HQ here on Monday. Chairman NHA Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Marketing Director PTC Usman Zahur signed the MOU. NHA’s Member (Admn) Ali Sher Mehsud and other senior officers were also present. The PTC, according to the MOU, besides planting trees will also set up a nursery near Faisalabad. Expressing views on the occasion, Chairman NHA Shahid Ashraf Tarar said, planting trees is a national obligation. He said advancement of afforestation programme can only be achieved through joint efforts. After plantation of saplings, concrete steps require to be taken to ensure their proper care. He further said, low ratio of forests in the country also calls our attention to this national cause. The trees not only enhance beauty and make atmosphere pleasant, but also help reduce the level of devastation in case of national calamities like floods. Published in Daily Times, July 25th , 2017.