ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would revive the economic activities in the country.
The president, addressing at the inauguration of bioremediation project, said that the CPEC would generate massive economic activity with setting up of industries and added that bioremediation project would be much relevant in addressing the challenge of environmental impact.
Mamnoon said that Pakistan being an agricultural country needs a scientific approach to address its agriculture-related problems and stressed the need to develop research culture in the country. He said non-scientific approach had resulted in reduced agricultural produce and spread of diseases, which had also put a negative impact on the national economy.
The bioremediation plant set up at the capital’s Rose and Jasmine Garden is a joint effort of the scientists of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Capital Development Authority (CDA).
Under the project, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi will be used to remove or neutralize pollutants from the sewerage water of Rose and Jasmine Garden, to be reused for plantation. The President hailed the launch of bioremediation project and appreciated the scientists for their efforts to bring improvement to the environment.
He expressed satisfaction that similar projects in other Muslim countries including Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were being carried out with the help of Pakistan. He also mentioned that the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) states had also shown interest to benefit from the experience of Pakistani scientists.
Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan said the bioremediation project, which took one year to complete, would make the contaminated water reusable for plantation and would bear no additional cost.
He said PARC and CDA were jointly working on several joint projects including Margalla Hills Honey project and preservation of perishable fruits.
Secretary National Food Security and Research Seerat Asghar said under the master-plan of CDA, the Rose and Jasmine Garden was to be made a camping ground for tourists, which could not be materialized due to shortage of funds to fix the issue of sewerage water passing through the garden.
He said the bioremediation project would revive the beauty of Rose and Jasmine Garden. Chairman PARC Nadeem Amjad and Chariman CDA Maroof Afzal were present.
