ISLAMABAD: After a massive uproar by citizens and civil society, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the alleged tree cutting in Islamabad and sought a report from the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Recently, large-scale tree cutting took place in at least three locations in the capital. The issue has remained a hot topic on social media over the past few days, with people protesting against the large-scale cutting of trees.

The CDA has maintained that in the Shakarparian area “only” paper mulberry trees were chopped down. However, on the ground, there are at least four patches, collectively spread over more than 15 acres, where almost all trees have been cut down near Lok Virsa.

Meanwhile, grown-up trees were also chopped down along a portion of the Expressway in H-8, where a park is being upgraded. Similarly, large-scale tree cutting was carried out in the Chak Shahzad area for the construction of a dual carriageway to provide a link to a CDA-DHA-owned housing scheme, from Park Road.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026