CDA restrained from cutting trees

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court, presided over by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, has restrained the Capital Development Authority (CDA) from cutting any trees along Atatürk Avenue from Express Chowk to Agha Khan Road in the federal capital and sought a response from the authority.

During the hearing of a petition filed by a female citizen, Ayesha Muzaffar, advocates Mudassir Latif Abbasi and Umair Asad appeared on behalf of the petitioner. They argued that the court had already barred the CDA from felling trees in Islamabad, but despite this, there was a clear violation of the January 15, 2026 order. The CDA, they contended, was cutting trees under the pretext of road expansion.

The counsel further submitted that while austerity measures were being promoted, billions of rupees were being spent on such projects. They claimed that more than 55 large trees and dozens of smaller ones would be cut due to the project, adding that environmental levies were being collected on petrol while trees were simultaneously being felled.

After hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to the parties, sought replies, and adjourned the hearing until next week.