ISLAMABAD: A contempt petition was filed on Thursday before the Islamabad High Court against the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for allegedly violating a clear restraining order of the court by initiating the uprooting and transplantation of trees as part of a new road expansion project in the federal capital.

The petition arises out of ongoing proceedings in a writ petition filed on January 15, 2026, wherein the Islamabad High Court had expressly restrained the CDA from cutting trees in Islamabad until further orders. The case concerns large-scale tree cutting in environmentally sensitive areas, including Shakarparian, and seeks enforcement of citizens’ fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment.

Despite the subsisting stay order, the CDA has reportedly commenced work on the expansion of Ataturk Avenue from D-Chowk to Ayub Chowk, a project involving the removal and “transplantation” of mature trees falling within the road alignment.

According to a recent report published in Dawn, CDA officials acknowledged that multiple trees have already been uprooted, with further such activity planned.

The contempt petition contends that the act of “transplantation” does not circumvent the court’s order.

It argues that uprooting mature trees, particularly in an urban setting, often leads to their destruction and results in irreversible environmental loss, thereby falling squarely within the prohibition imposed by the Court.

The petition further asserts that the actions of CDA amount to willful and deliberate disobedience of a lawful order of the court, undermining both the authority of the judiciary and the rule of law. It places responsibility at the highest level of the authority, naming the chairman CDA as the principal contemnor for failing to ensure compliance.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the petition warns that continued execution of the project risks causing irreparable environmental damage and may render the pending writ proceedings infructuous.

The petitioner has requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the chairman CDA and other responsible officials, summon them for personal appearance, immediately halt all ongoing work related to the project, and direct remedial and accountability measures.

The petitioner, Muhammad Naveed Ahmad, through his counsel Mudassir Latif Abbasi Advocate, maintained that development had raised serious concerns among environmental advocates and citizens regarding adherence to judicial orders and the protection of Islamabad’s rapidly diminishing green cover.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2026