The Islamabad High Court on Thursday restrained the Capital Development Authority from cutting trees in the federal capital and directed authorities to submit a detailed report on the matter.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard the petition filed by Muhammad Naveed Ahmed, who asked the court to stop what he described as unlawful tree felling across Islamabad.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel said authorities were carrying out large-scale tree cutting in clear violation of existing rules. He argued that the activity was damaging the environment and worsening the effects of climate change in the capital.
The lawyer further told the court that the ongoing tree removal breaches the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act and threatens Islamabad’s ecological balance. Justice Soomro summoned the Assistant Attorney General and questioned the justification for cutting trees across the city.
Minister of State Talal Chaudhry told the National Assembly that 𝟐𝟗,𝟏𝟏𝟓 trees have been removed in Islamabad.
While 40,000 were planted in their place.
He claimed that the removals occurred in areas already designated as brown areas in the master plan. pic.twitter.com/zBEQCwIeCD
— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) January 13, 2026After the hearing, the court issued notices to the CDA, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. The court directed all respondents to submit paragraph-wise replies along with a comprehensive report at the next hearing.
The IHC also ordered the CDA to immediately halt all tree-cutting activities until further notice. The court adjourned the case until February 2.
Recent reports indicate extensive tree removal at several locations in Islamabad, including large green areas in Shakarparian.
Who cut 0.3mn trees in Islamabad? How, when and where did it all happen since 2006? CDA copped off 110,000 trees 🌴. Private Housing Societies also cut 126,000 trees 🌲 in Islamabad. Who’s responsible for this mass murders of plants? Watch more here—Part 7 pic.twitter.com/tfpFdXLHCX
— Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) January 15, 2026In response, the CDA stated that it removed 29,115 paper mulberry trees under a government-approved plan, citing their role in causing pollen allergies among residents.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik said authorities would plant three trees for every tree removed. He said officials removed paper mulberry trees only after scientific assessment and replaced them with indigenous species as part of a reforestation drive.
Dr. Malik made the remarks during a media briefing after visiting Shakarparian, where he reviewed both the tree removal and plantation process. He warned that authorities would take strict action if they found any negligence or violation of environmental laws.
