KABUL (PAN): As part of an initiative of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), a drive to clean Kabul River will be launched on Friday, an official said on Thursday.

Media could play an important role in the cleanliness campaign, involving members of the general public, said Wahid Jalal, NEPA spokesman.

He asked media outlets to broadcast programmes on the importance of a clean environment and encourage residents to take part in the cleanness of Kabul River.

The drive is financed by GTZ, a German international development organisation, said the head of Orange Media Forum -- a body of media consultants.

Basir Hamidi said the drive would set a healthy precedent of city cleanness and environment protection. He said the Kabul Municipality would facilitate transferring garbage collected from the river to particular localities.

More than 300 municipality workers would collect the rubbish, he said.

A GTZ official, Dr Alima, said: "The campaign is good for Kabul City and I hope the trend will be followed in other provinces as well."

A Kabul resident, Muhammad Zahir, welcomed the move and said all dwellers should take part in the cleanliness campaign.

ss/mud