ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Islamabad High Court on Thursday stopped the Capital Development Authority from cutting trees in the federal capital until February 2 and directed authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the ongoing tree removal campaign amid concerns over environmental damage.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the order while hearing a constitutional petition filed by Muhammad Naveed Ahmad of the Centre for Justice and Rights under Article 199 of the Constitution. Advocate Muddasir Latif Abbasi represented the petitioner, while Assistant Attorney General Sarfraz Rauf appeared on behalf of the state.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that large-scale tree cutting was being carried out across Islamabad in violation of existing laws. He maintained that the indiscriminate removal of trees had caused serious environmental changes, threatened public health, and breached the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.
The court questioned the government over the continuation of tree cutting despite environmental safeguards and ordered an immediate halt to all such activities until the next hearing.
Notices were issued to the CDA, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Climate Change, directing them to submit para-wise replies along with a detailed report. The hearing was adjourned until February 2.
The case follows public criticism over the removal of trees in several areas of the Islamabad Capital Territory, including Shakarparian. The Minister of State for Interior informed the National Assembly that 29,115 trees had been removed, citing three possible reasons, and claimed that more trees would be planted in the coming months.
While the CDA had earlier stated that only paper mulberry trees were cut due to pollen-related issues, WWF-Pakistan reported that the drive was also linked to infrastructure development.
According to the petition, the tree cutting violated environmental laws, the Islamabad Wildlife Ordinance 1979, and the Master Plan of Islamabad, which declares Shakarparian a protected green zone. It further stated that no public hearing was conducted and that regulatory bodies failed to take timely action.
The petitioner requested the court to seek official records of the tree-cutting operations, fix responsibility at senior levels, initiate penal action, impose a complete ban on tree cutting in Islamabad, and establish an independent judicial commission to investigate violations and recommend corrective measures.
