THIS is with reference to the report ‘District admin to spend Rs120m on beautification of Murree Road’ (April 7). While the aim to beautify Rawalpindi and Islamabad is appreciated, the focus on installing advertisement screens and new infrastructure misses the mark.

Our cities do not need more digital clutter; they need sustainable, thoughtful planning rooted in nature, which has been the hallmark of Islamabad since its inception. Instead of spending vast sums on screens and lampposts, we should repair and restore the existing infra- structure, preserving the distinct aesthetics of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Replacing everything with new, mismatched designs only dilutes the city’s character.

Planting local trees is far more effective for long-term beautification and urban cooling. But it is not just about planting trees; it is about planting them strategically on the right, left and, most importantly, in the median of newly constructed roads like the 7th, 8th and 9th avenues. Only then can we ensure proper shade and environmental impact.

The recent mass plantation of palm trees across Islamabad has, unfortunately, proven to be a failed experiment. These non-native trees offer little shade, are expensive to maintain, and many have already withered due to neglect. They provide no shelter for birds, strays, or pedestrians, and create an artificial, unbalanced aesthetic more suited to Dubai than the Potohar plateau. The impression they give is one of mimicry, not identity.

Likewise, installing benches along busy roads is largely futile. No one prefers to rest surrounded by heavy traffic and noise. A better use of funds would be to make public transport viable as well as dignified.

A glaring example is Rawal Chowk flyover, where the absence of proper bus stops has forced people to create unsafe, makeshift ones. Safe, accessible and shaded bus stops should be a top priority.

The absence of tree cover makes roads intensely hot and uncomfortable to use, especially during Islamabad’s long summer months. A far better example to follow is the main roads of old sectors of Islamabad, such as F-8, F-7 and F-6, where mature peepal trees have formed a natural canopy, offering shade, beauty and environmental harmony.

Finally, generating revenue through monetised public parking, and by fining those using phones while driving, or bikers not wearing helmets, is more productive than illuminated screens that distract drivers. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) should do everything it can to retain Islamabad’s reputation as the greenest and most planned city of Pakistan.

Sara Rahman
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2025