Green Pakistan Programme plants 2.3bn saplings in FY2025-26

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2026) Pakistan has planted, regenerated, or distributed nearly 2.3 billion saplings under the Green Pakistan Programme, marking one of the country's largest afforestation drives aimed at combating climate change, restoring ecosystems, and improving environmental sustainability.

According to official data available with Wealth Pakistan, the programme remains a key component of the country's environmental strategy as Pakistan faces growing challenges from rising temperatures, floods, droughts, and land degradation.

The data revealed that by March 2026, a cumulative total of 2,283.3 million plants had been planted, regenerated, or distributed across the country. The programme achieved 69.3 percent of its overall target and increased tree cover over nearly 0.7 million hectares.

During July-March FY2025-26 alone, provinces and territories reported planting, regenerating, or distributing 30.5 million plants. Performance against plantation targets stood at 86 percent in Sindh, 79 percent in Punjab, 73 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 62 percent in Gilgit-Baltistan, 34 percent in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and 28 percent in Balochistan.

Pakistan's total forest area is estimated at about 4.1 million hectares, accounting for only 4.

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7 percent of the country's land area. The survey estimates annual deforestation at around 11,000 hectares, highlighting continued pressure on forest resources.

The large-scale plantation campaign forms part of broader efforts to expand forest cover, restore degraded landscapes, and strengthen resilience to climate-related risks.

According to the report, increasing tree cover is critical for improving ecosystem health, conserving biodiversity, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing the country's capacity to adapt to climate change.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has implemented many plantation activities in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments.

The report notes that climate adaptation and environmental protection have become increasingly important policy priorities following a series of climate-related disasters in recent years. It highlights the devastating floods of 2022 as a reminder of the need for stronger environmental management and ecosystem restoration measures.

Pakistan has also integrated forestry and ecosystem restoration into its broader climate commitments and sustainable development goals to support long-term environmental sustainability.