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29,115 Trees Cut in Islamabad, Govt Promises Larger Plantation Drive
Govt tells NA that 29,115 trees were removed in Islamabad, mostly paper mulberry, but claims over 40,000 have already been planted with 60,000 more planned. Opposition calls it “mass-cutting”.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-13
29,115 Trees Cut in Islamabad, Govt Promises Larger Plantation Drive

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that 29,115 trees had been removed from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), but assured lawmakers that more trees would be planted than those cut in the coming months.

The statement came amid widespread criticism over the cutting of thousands of mature trees across the federal capital, including the levelling of large green patches around Shakarparian.

PTI MNA Riaz Fatyana raised the issue through a calling attention notice, citing public concern over environmental damage. Responding to the notice, Chaudhry said that while 29,115 trees were removed, 40,000 trees measuring 8 to 10 feet had already been planted, with another 60,000 trees scheduled for plantation on March 30, when weather conditions improve.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has maintained that only paper mulberry trees, blamed for severe pollen allergies, were removed. However, social media users alleged that indigenous tree species were also felled, leaving areas like Shakarparian appearing barren.

Chaudhry told the House the matter was of “high importance” and explained that tree removal was carried out for three reasons: eradication of paper mulberry, development in areas designated as brown zones under Islamabad’s Master Plan, and construction in sectors earlier perceived as green zones.

He invited parliamentarians and journalists to independently assess Islamabad’s greenery through the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), warning that authorities would be held accountable if green areas were reduced or converted.

“Greenery declined till 2020, but data from 2023 to 2025 shows an increase in vegetation,” Chaudhry claimed, adding that decisions were policy-based and not taken by individuals.

The state minister also recalled a 2009 Islamabad High Court order directing the eradication of paper mulberry trees and cited a 2024 Supreme Court suo motu notice regarding their removal from F-9 Park. He said a standard operating procedure was followed, including surveys and public hearings.

“We have not earned money by removing trees,” Chaudhry insisted, adding that the process was costly due to the need to remove roots. He categorically stated that no species other than paper mulberry was cut.

Opposition Raises Alarm

PPP, PTI and MQM-P lawmakers rejected the government’s justification, terming the exercise “large-scale tree-cutting”.

PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui said no country uproots trees on such a massive scale due to allergies and criticised the replacement of mature trees with saplings. PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan described the removed trees as “the lungs of Islamabad” and demanded plantation of 100 saplings for each tree cut.

PPP’s Shazia Marri questioned why authorities were avoiding accountability and demanded disclosure of exact plantation figures, suggesting the issue be referred to the Standing Committee on Climate Change.

MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said the cutting of old trees had deeply saddened the public and urged the government to proactively disclose plantation plans.

NA Passes Resolution on Passenger Offloading

Separately, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking an investigation into the offloading of documented passengers from flights at Pakistani airports.

Moved by PPP MNA Agha Rafiullah, the resolution called for administrative reforms to ensure transparency and protection of passenger rights.

Interior Ministry officials have linked offloading to a crackdown on migrant smuggling. According to official figures, 66,000 passengers were offloaded in 2025, with 51,000 cases linked to incomplete or unverified documents, despite earlier claims of much lower numbers.
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