Islamabad, Pakistan (HRNW)- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a stay order immediately restraining the Capital Development Authority (CDA) from cutting trees in the federal capital. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the directive during a hearing of a petition filed by a citizen, Muhammad Naveed Ahmad, who challenged the “illegal and indiscriminate” felling of thousands of trees across the city, including in the ecologically sensitive Shakarparian and F-9 Park areas.
The court has issued formal notices to the CDA, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA), and the Ministry of Climate Change, seeking a detailed, “para-wise” response by February 2, 2026. The petitioner argued that the mass removal—estimated at over 29,000 trees—violates the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997. While authorities claim the drive targets allergy-causing paper mulberry trees, environmentalists and the WWF-Pakistan allege the clearing is being used to facilitate major infrastructure projects, including a new cricket stadium and road expansions.
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