He was speaking at a world Environment Day function organised by his ministry at a local hotel in collaboration with the SAARC Energy Centre.
The minister said the Environment Day was celebrated in Pakistan with great zeal and enthusiasm every year.
He said although Pakistan Environment Protection Ordinance was promulgated in 1983, it was after the National Conservation Strategy’s approval in 1992 when environmental issues began receiving proper attention.
He said the next significant development on the front was the passage of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 by parliament after an extensive consultative process.
“We ratified the Paris agreement and submitted well-researched intended nationally determined contributions; parliament passed the landmark Pakistan Climate Change Act; the National forest Policy has been approved by the Council of Common Interest, and Green Pakistan Programme is being implemented fast,” he said.
The minister said Pakistan was blessed with a wide range of ecosystem and habitat ranging from K2 in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south.
“Because of the diverse topography and climatic conditions, these habitats support a large number of species many of which are of global significance.
Four ecosystems of Pakistan are included in the global 200 most biologically outstanding Eco regions of the world,” he said.
The minister said the General Assembly had urged governments and UN organisations to undertake worldwide activities for environmental protection.
It has not only generated political will for formulation of plans and policies to tackle these issues nut it has also brought about changes in the people’s consumption habits,” he said.