ISLAMABAD: Amid public outcry over chopping of thousands of grown-up trees in Islamabad, Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadiq Malik on Friday claimed that around 29,000 paper mulberry trees had been cut down in the capital city in line with the court’s order.

“Paper mulberry trees, which are a major cause of allergies and have caused deaths among chronic asthma patients, have been chopped following Supreme Court’s orders which were issued in 2023. In 2025, the order was again implemented to rid the city of this invasive species which is not indigenous and is life threatening,” said Dr Malik while talking in a TV talk show after presiding over a meeting on the issue.

“It is planned not to plant non-indigenous species,” said the minister, adding: “One tree chopped is being replaced with three new saplings/trees in the capital city”.

The meeting was held in the wake of widespread criticism on the authorities in the media over cutting of thousands of grown-up trees in different locations of the capital city, including the leveling of acres of tree cover around Shakarparian.

Claims 29,000 allergy causing trees have been cut; CDA starts early tree-plantation drive in unfavourable weather

Recently, thousands of trees were chopped in Islamabad’s three areas – Shakarparian, H-8 and Chak Shahzad. In Shakarparian, at least four patches have been turned into almost a desert, where citizens stated that besides paper mulberry, other trees had also been cut down. However, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been stating that only paper mulberry was removed.

A number of trees have been cut in H-8 area where a park is being upgraded while cutting of decades-old trees took place in Chak Shahzad for the construction of a dual carriageway for the CDA-DHA housing society.

The minister said that paper mulberry were non-indigenous trees planted in the 1960s. According to him, the felling of trees was planned after confirming from Ministry of Health that paper mulberries are a major health concern.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the ministry said the minister was briefed on the ongoing campaign aimed at reducing the number of non-native paper mulberry trees in Islamabad. The minister reviewed and discussed measures for environmental protection and preservation of green cover in Islamabad.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, Secretary Climate Change Aisha Moriana and senior representatives from the CDA, Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and others.

It was stated that paper mulberry was an allergenic species and a major contributor to severe allergies and asthma-related health issues among residents of the federal capital. The campaign focused on the selective removal of paper mulberry trees in areas where their concentration exceeded 90 per cent such as Shakarparian, F-9 Park and along H-8 and H-9 sectors, and replacing them with native, fruit-bearing trees and pine species.

The minister was informed that to safeguard Islamabad’s green cover, plans were underway to plant more trees against every tree removed under the campaign, ensuring that the city’s overall tree cover was not reduced.

The statement said plans for plantation included installation of mature native trees to accelerate ecological recovery. The meeting also discussed the need for enhanced coordination among EPA, CDA and the Ministry of Climate Change to ensure timely plantation activities during the upcoming spring season. Emphasis was placed on synchronised planning and execution to maximise environmental and public health benefits.

Dr Malik stressed the importance of streamlining processes and strengthening communication among relevant ministries, environmental protection agencies such as EPA and IWMB and CDA. He directed that a transparent, well-defined and streamlined mechanism be developed to ensure full compliance with existing laws, rules, and procedures related to permissions and licensing for such environmental campaigns.

Interestingly, when the official handout talked about cutting of trees in various sectors, it has no mention of the cutting of trees along Park Road at Chak Shahzad.

Tree plantation

Interestingly, in an apparent move to counter the ongoing criticism, the CDA has started a tree plantation campaign in January, which is otherwise known for frost and not ideal for plantation.

In the past, the CDA used to start tree plantation around mid-February. However, this time around it has started the campaign more than a month earlier in Shakarparian area – a step which is being criticised by public on social media, stating that nowhere trees are planted in January as Islamabad faces due and frost in this month.

The CDA officials, on the other hand, are stating that only those species are being planted which survive in January, such as Chir Pine. They said this campaign, in which 30,000 trees would be planted, would get momentum next month.

— Kashif Abbasi also contributed to the report

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2026