Pakistan has a varied climate and geography because of which it enjoys climatic flexibility – something that most countries of the world lack. The climate in Pakistan’s mountainous regions particularly supports olive cultivation that needs to be utilised to benefit from this untapped potential. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan’s olive import bills stood at $4771.471 during the financial year 2020-21. Such seepage in the national exchequer, which already has low foreign exchange reserves, adds miseries to the troubled economy.
Pakistan has begun realising the importance of oil production. However, these efforts have been confined to only some parts of the country. The 10 Billion Tree Afforestation Project which was launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan has discovered 70 million wild olive trees. Approximately 40 million wild olive trees will be grafted, and new ones will be planted under the initiative. The provinces of Sindh and Balochistan also have millions of wild olive trees. However, both provinces have been neglected in national-level projects. Agricultural scientists have suggested that the Kirthar Range, which extends over 310 kilometres, has more than 10 million wild olive trees. If grafted properly, they can help generate thousands of employment opportunities in both provinces. The initiative will also allow Pakistan to export olive oil, in turn, supporting the dwindling foreign exchange reserves and helping to mitigate environmental impacts.
I request the Prime Minister to extend the Billion Tree initiative to other parts of the country – with the Kirthar Hills taken under specific consideration. The provincial government of Sindh must also take pragmatic steps to boost olive cultivation in Sindh.
Shahnawaz Khoso
Hyderabad
