Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to submit a detailed report following allegations of large-scale tree cutting in Islamabad, which has sparked widespread protests and backlash from citizens and environmental activists.
Recent reports suggest that significant deforestation has occurred in multiple areas of the federal capital, raising concerns over loss of green cover, environmental degradation, and ecological imbalance.
Public Concern Over Deforestation in Islamabad
The alleged tree felling, reported at locations including Shakarparian, Lok Virsa, Islamabad Expressway (Sector H-8), and Chak Shahzad, has drawn criticism on social media and from civil society groups. Environmental advocates warn that such actions threaten urban greenery, air quality, and biodiversity.
CDA officials claimed that only paper mulberry trees were removed in the Shakarparian area. However, on-the-ground observations suggest that mature trees across more than 15 acres near Lok Virsa may have been cut down.
Tree Cutting for Infrastructure and Development Projects
Authorities reportedly cut trees along the Islamabad Expressway in Sector H-8 as part of a park renovation project. In Chak Shahzad, trees were reportedly removed to construct a dual carriageway connecting Park Road to CDA-DHA housing schemes, fueling public concerns about unsustainable urban development.
Prime Minister Highlights Need for Environmental Accountability
PM Shehbaz’s intervention reflects growing demands for strict enforcement of environmental laws and accountability from authorities overseeing urban development projects in Islamabad. Officials have been asked to provide a comprehensive update on the tree cutting, its justification, and future plans for green cover restoration.
