The petitioner claims that “this practice constitutes a violation of Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Act”
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court has ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to immediately stop felling of trees in the federal capital.
The directive was issued by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro on Thursday during a hearing on a petition filed by Muhammad Naveed Ahmed, who challenged what he described as illegal felling of trees in Islamabad.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s lawyer, Mudassar Latif Abbasi, argued that the trees were being cut in violation of existing laws and regulations. He said the practice contributed to environmental degradation and was a violation of Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Act.
The court summoned the deputy attorney general present in the courtroom and demanded an explanation for the felling of the tree. Justice Soomro also ordered the CDA to submit a detailed report on the matter and restrained the authority from making further cuts until the next hearing.
Notices have been sent to the CDA, Pakistan Environment Protection Agency and the Ministry of Climate Change, directing them to submit para-judicial responses along with a comprehensive report. The hearing was adjourned until February 2.
Read: Who cut down Islamabad’s trees – and why?
The legal action follows growing public concern over large-scale felling of trees in Islamabad. Interior Minister Tallal Chaudhry told the National Assembly on Tuesday that 29,115 trees had been felled. He added that more than 40,000 trees measuring between eight and ten feet had already been planted, with another 60,000 expected to be planted by March 30, subject to favorable weather conditions.
The CDA argued that only paper mulberry trees were cut down, citing their role in causing severe pollen allergies.
However, the scale and pace of the cuts have sparked public outrage, with many residents questioning whether Islamabad’s natural heritage is being compromised in the name of public health. Images of the cleaned areas circulated widely on social media, sparking criticism and demands for greater transparency from authorities.
Learn more: Why does Islamabad hate trees?
Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik said the removal of paper mulberries was carried out in accordance with Supreme Court orders issued in 2023. He described the species as invasive and non-native, linking it to allergies and deaths in chronic asthma patients. That campaign was implemented again in 2025, he said, to eliminate what he called a potentially deadly plant.
Environmental groups, however, dispute the official narrative. A WWF-Pakistan report criticized recent tree felling and land clearing in the capital, noting that while the eradication of invasive allergenic species is a contributing factor, significant loss of vegetation has also resulted from uncontrolled infrastructure development.
