ISLAMABAD: Civil society representatives in Islamabad, in a letter on Friday, have issued a formal welcome and an offer of constructive engagement to the newly appointed Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The outreach highlighted a significant shift in public sentiment, noting that the citizenry was not happy with the approach of the outgoing administration, whose tenure was marked by expanding road infrastructure projects that many believed occurred at the expense of the city’s greenery.

While extending their support for initiatives aimed at the betterment of the city, the signatories expressed a collective desire to serve as a partner in ensuring Islamabad’s development remained sustainable and ecologically balanced.

The letter suggested that instead of continuing the expansion of road networks, the authority should consider whether a well-integrated public transport system would more sustainably serve the city’s long-term needs.

“Islamabad has long been admired for its serene landscape, abundant greenery, and unique urban character, qualities that distinguish it not only within Pakistan but across the world.

However, there is growing concern among citizens that, in recent years, the city has been gradually losing its tree cover and ecological balance, particularly in the wake of expanding road infrastructure projects.

While development is essential, it may be worth considering whether a more comprehensive and well-integrated public transport system could serve the city’s long-term needs more sustainably than a continued expansion of road networks. So on and so forth,” the signatories.

The group emphasised that the new Chairman now had a unique opportunity to pivot from a traditional “brick and mortar” focus toward protecting the “flowers and butterflies” that defined the capital’s unique urban character. They have called for a culture of genuinely participatory governance where broad-based consultations with stakeholders are held before major policy decisions are finalised.

The full text of this letter has been made available to the public on a dedicated Facebook page titled “Islamabad Matters 2026,” which has been created to undertake coordination in the matter.

The appeal was backed by a diverse group of signatories who had appended their names in their individual, rather than institutional, capacities.

This sample representation included prominent figures such as Vice Chancellor AIOU, Dr Nasir Mehmood, former Chairman HEC, Dr Tariq Banuri, former President, Supreme Court Bar Association, Haroonur Rashid, former Executive Director SDPI, Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Chairman Pakistan Green Task Force, Dr Jamal Nasir, President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran, Ajmal Baloch, Executive Director I-SAPS, Dr Salman Humayun, and former chief commissioner ICT, Tariq Pirzada.

While many more residents expressed a desire to sign, these individuals, amongst others, were selected to demonstrate the broad professional and social spectrum of those committed to a greener, more liveable, and truly world-class capital city.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026