ISLAMABAD: Amid growing public outcry over large-scale tree cutting in the federal capital, a writ petition has been filed before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the legality of recent deforestation carried out by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in various parts of the city, including Shakarparian.

The petition, filed by Mohammad Naveed Ahmad of the Center for Justice and Rights, invoked Article 199 of the Constitution and alleged that thousands of mature trees were cut during late 2025 and early 2026, causing “grave and irreversible environmental harm”.

According to the petition, approximately 29,000 paper mulberry trees were removed across Islamabad during 2025, including around 8,700 trees in Shakarparian alone, ostensibly to address pollen-related concerns.

The petitioner maintained that the scale and manner of cutting had rendered large portions of Shakarparian barren, resulting in loss of biodiversity, increased urban heat, deterioration of air quality and a violation of citizens’ fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment under law.

Petitioner claims thousands of mature trees cut down in 2025, early 2026; Article 199 of Constitution invoked

While CDA had publicly claimed that the exercise was limited to invasive paper mulberry trees in compliance with Supreme Court orders passed in 2023 and 2025, the petition stated that eyewitness accounts and public outcry suggested that native and non-allergenic trees were also felled indiscriminately.

It further noted that similar cutting was carried out in H-8, H-9, F-9 Park, Chak Shahzad, and near Zero Point, some of it linked to infrastructure projects such as park up-gradation, road construction and a bus depot.

The petition also raised objections to the construction of a monument in Sector H-8 along the Islamabad Expressway, alleging that hundreds of decades-old native trees were cut for the project, without any justification linked to pollen concerns.

It questioned why the monument was not placed in an existing park or public space and pointed to a lack of transparency in site selection and approvals.

According to the petition, actions of the authorities contravened the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, the Islamabad Wildlife Ordinance, 1979, and the Master Plan of Islamabad, which designated Shakarparian as a protected green area.

The petitioner asserted that no public hearing was conducted, as required under environmental law, and that the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency failed to take timely action.

The petition further criticised the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, stating that instead of intervening, the minister publicly justified the cutting, asserting it was carried out in line with court orders.

It also flagged the absence of public disclosure regarding environmental approvals, impact assessments, administrative authorisations or compensatory plantation plans.

Additionally, concern had been raised over announced plans for a new cricket stadium and convention centre in Islamabad, which the petitioner argued would further undermine the city’s green character, especially when existing facilities such as Rawalpindi Stadium and the Islamabad Convention Centre already exist.

Calling the situation a violation of constitutional rights, environmental law, and principles of sustainable development, the petitioner had sought judicial intervention to halt further tree cutting, fix responsibility, and ensure transparency and accountability in future development projects.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2026