Lahore: The Department of Gender Studies, University of the Punjab marked Earth Day 2026 with great enthusiasm by organizing a “Mega Plantation Drive” followed by a seminar titled “Earth Day 2026: Addressing Population Pressures to Protect Environmental Sustainability and Public Health” on 22 April 2026.

The event commenced with the inauguration of the Mega Plantation Drive by Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar, Chairperson, Department of Gender Studies. She was joined by distinguished guests including Prof. Dr. Rehan Sadiq Shaikh, Dean Health Sciences and DG-SES, Dr. Shahzeb, Director Student Affairs, Salman ur Rashid, Assistant Director (IEC), Directorate General, Population Welfare, Health and Population Department, Punjab, and Dr. Ahmad Jibran Baloch, National Director Education Programme, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan. Faculty members and students actively participated in the plantation activity, demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Following the plantation drive, the department hosted a seminar which began with the Recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat Shareef. In her welcome address, Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar emphasized the importance of the “Student Plant Adaptation Model” and highlighted the urgent need to address population growth as a critical factor contributing to climate stress in Pakistan.

Dr. Ahmad Jibran Baloch, in his keynote remarks, shed light on the pressing environmental challenges faced by Pakistan, particularly in Lahore, including extreme weather conditions. He also shared the contributions of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan in promoting environmental protection and sustainability for future generations.

Another guest speaker, Salman ur Rashid, Assistant Director (IEC), Directorate General, Population Welfare, Health and Population Department, Punjab, discussed the link between population pressures and public health challenges. He strongly emphasized the importance of population control as a key strategy to ensure environmental sustainability and improved health outcomes in Punjab.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Dr. Ra'ana Malik, who appreciated the efforts of all speakers, organizers, faculty members, students, and participants for making the event successful.

The celebrations concluded with an Awareness Walk, where participants and esteemed guests collectively pledged to work towards: “Balancing Population Growth for a Healthier Planet and a Sustainable Future.”

The event highlighted the vital role of academia in promoting environmental awareness, sustainable practices, and informed dialogue on population and public health challenges in Pakistan.