PTCL and WWF Pakistan have launched the ‘Plant for Pakistan’ tree plantation drive as part of PTCL’s Independence Day campaign, Pakistan Jitna Jawan, planting 50,000 saplings across 10 cities this August. The initiative aims to restore native forests, combat climate change, and engage citizens in environmental stewardship during the country’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

The drive began on 14 August 2026 with a high-profile event in Islamabad, followed by planting sessions in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Hyderabad. Each city will receive native species such as sheesham, babul, and neem, chosen for their resilience to Pakistan’s climate and soil conditions. Participants can register online or at designated PTCL customer service centers.

Key facts at a glance
- Total saplings: 50,000
- Cities covered: 10 (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Hyderabad)
- Native species: Sheesham, babul, neem
- Registration: Online via ptcl.com.pk/plantforpakistan or at PTCL customer service centers
- Campaign hashtag: #PlantForPakistan

How to participate in the tree plantation drive

You can join the drive in three ways:

1. Register online
Visit ptcl.com.pk/plantforpakistan and fill out the form with your name, CNIC, city, and preferred planting location. After registration, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details of your assigned planting site and date.

2. Walk-in at PTCL centers
Visit any PTCL customer service center in your city. Bring your original CNIC and a copy. Staff will guide you through registration and assign you to a nearby planting site. Walk-ins are accepted until 30 September 2026 or until slots fill up.

3. Corporate and group registrations
Organizations can register teams of 10 or more by emailing plantforpakistan@ptcl.net.pk. Companies will be assigned a dedicated planting zone and provided with saplings, tools, and safety gear. Group registrations close on 15 September 2026.

Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. All volunteers will receive a certificate of participation and a sapling to plant at home after the event.

Where will the trees be planted?

The 50,000 saplings will be distributed across urban parks, school campuses, public squares, and degraded forest areas in each city. WWF Pakistan has identified 150 sites in collaboration with local governments and environmental NGOs. Priority zones include:

  • Islamabad: Margalla Hills National Park buffer zones
  • Karachi: Karachi Zoo and Clifton Beach greenbelts
  • Lahore: Jallo Park and Shalimar Gardens
  • Peshawar: University of Peshawar campus and Warsak Dam forest areas
  • Quetta: Hanna Lake catchment areas

Each site has been surveyed for soil quality, water access, and long-term survival rates. WWF will monitor growth for three years using satellite imagery and ground teams.

Why this campaign matters for Pakistan

Pakistan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, ranked 8th in the Global Climate Risk Index 2025. Deforestation, urban sprawl, and erratic monsoons have reduced forest cover to just 4.8% of the land area—well below the recommended 25% for ecological balance. The ‘Plant for Pakistan’ drive targets the restoration of 200 hectares of degraded land, with an estimated carbon sequestration potential of 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ over the next decade.

The campaign also aligns with Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy 2023 and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030). By involving citizens, PTCL and WWF aim to build a culture of environmental responsibility beyond Independence Day.

What’s next for participants and organizers

  • 15 August 2026: Launch of mobile app for real-time updates and sapling tracking
  • 31 August 2026: Deadline for individual registrations in high-demand cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi)
  • 15 September 2026: Final group registration deadline
  • 30 September 2026: Last date for walk-in registrations
  • October 2026: First progress report on sapling survival rates
  • March 2027: Mid-campaign review and additional planting sessions

PTCL has allocated Rs 50 million for the initiative, covering saplings, logistics, and monitoring. WWF Pakistan will provide technical expertise, including species selection, planting techniques, and long-term maintenance protocols.

How to stay updated

Follow the campaign on social media:
- Facebook: @PTCLOfficial and @WWF.Pakistan
- Twitter/X: @PTCLofficial and @WWF_Pakistan
- Instagram: @ptclofficial and @wwfpakistan

Use the hashtag #PlantForPakistan to share your planting photos and inspire others. The best community-led planting stories will be featured on PTCL’s official channels and WWF’s annual report.

What you can do today

If you live in one of the 10 cities, don’t wait—register now. Even if you can’t attend a planting site, you can still contribute by donating Rs 500 per sapling via ptcl.com.pk/donate. All donations are tax-deductible under Section 61 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

For queries, call PTCL’s helpline at 1236 or email plantforpakistan@ptcl.net.pk. Volunteers are especially needed in Quetta and Hyderabad, where fewer registrations have been received so far.

This isn’t just about planting trees—it’s about planting the future of Pakistan.