Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the alleged large-scale cutting of trees in Islamabad and sought a detailed report from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) following strong public backlash and protests by civil society.
In recent days, extensive tree cutting has been reported at multiple locations in the federal capital, sparking outrage on social media and among environmental activists. Citizens have raised serious concerns over the environmental impact of the move.
The CDA has claimed that only paper mulberry trees were removed in the Shakarparian area. However, ground reports indicate that nearly all trees have been cut across at least four patches spanning more than 15 acres near Lok Virsa.
In addition, authorities reportedly felled mature trees along a section of the Islamabad Expressway in Sector H-8 as part of a park upgradation project.
Similar large-scale tree cutting was also carried out in the Chak Shahzad area for the construction of a dual carriageway linking Park Road to a CDA-DHA housing scheme.
The prime minister’s intervention comes amid growing demands for accountability and stricter enforcement of environmental protection laws.
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