President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have called upon all stakeholders to work together to protect and restore Pakistan's rangelands and natural ecosystems.

In their separate messages on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, they said Pakistan's vast rangelands play a vital role in supporting livestock-based livelihoods and the entire rural economy.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said, as one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Pakistan recognizes that the sustainable management and restoration of degraded lands are indispensable for environmental sustainability, economic prosperity and social well-being.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said under the "Zarkhaiz Scheme" interest-free easy loans are being extended to farmers to help them enhance productivity of their agricultural land.