Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed the hope that the new Hijri year would usher in peace, security and prosperity, while serving as a message of unity and solidarity for the Muslim Ummah.
In her message on the commencement of the new Islamic year, on Wednesday, the chief minister prayed that 1448 AH would prove to be a year of peace, progress and stability for Pakistan. She expressed the hope that the year would bring prosperity, happiness and tranquility across the country and become a source of mercy and blessings for Pakistan, its people and the entire Muslim world.
CM Maryam Nawaz said that Muharram-ul-Haram reminds Muslims of the unparalleled sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). She said the philosophy of sacrifice, courage and steadfastness demonstrated by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) continues to inspire oppressed people in every era and stands as a challenge to oppression and injustice.
The CM appealed to the public to demonstrate patience, tolerance and restraint during Muharram-ul-Haram and avoid differences and divisions in order to promote unity and harmony.
She said the Punjab government had undertaken extraordinary arrangements and comprehensive security measures across the province to ensure peace and maintain law and order during Muharram.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday underscored the importance of agricultural research and the adoption of modern technology to combat desertification and drought.
She said the Punjab government was committed to environmental protection, land restoration and water conservation.
In her message on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the CM said the day was observed to raise awareness about land degradation, declining soil fertility and the severe impacts of drought on communities and economies.
She said the Punjab government was taking practical measures to address drought through improved agricultural practices, efficient water management and climate change mitigation efforts. She added that small dams and ponds were being constructed across the province to increase water storage capacity and ensure sustainable use of water resources.
CM Maryam Nawaz said special funds had been allocated to convert barren lands into cultivable areas in regions such as Cholistan and Thal. She added that tree plantation campaigns in desert areas and the promotion of crops, including olives, were also being pursued to enhance environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.
The CM termed drought a major threat to agriculture and food security, stressing that afforestation was essential to curb environmental pollution and transform barren lands into green landscapes.
She said state-of-the-art equipment, including thermal sensors, was being utilised for forest protection and wildlife monitoring. She added that international cooperation was indispensable for restoring degraded lands and addressing the growing challenges posed by water scarcity.
Highlighting the impact of climate change, Maryam Nawaz observed that fertile lands around the world were turning into deserts due to environmental degradation and human activities. She said that under the Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation (PRIAT) programme, the government was improving water conveyance systems and installing new solar-powered High Efficiency Irrigation Systems (HEIS) to promote sustainable agriculture and water conservation.