IHC halts tree cutting, seeks detailed report from CDA

The Islamabad High Court has ordered an immediate halt to the cutting of trees within the federal capital and directed the Capital Development Authority to submit a detailed report on the matter.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by Muhammad Naveed Ahmed. Advocate Mudassar Latif Abbasi appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioner.

Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that large-scale tree cutting was underway in Islamabad in violation of established rules and regulations.

He argued that the activity was contributing to dangerous environmental changes and amounted to a breach of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act.

During the hearing, the assistant attorney general present in the courtroom was summoned to the rostrum.

The court questioned the rationale behind the tree-cutting exercise and sought clarification from the government side.

Pending the next hearing, the court restrained the Capital Development Authority from carrying out any further tree cutting.

Notices were also issued to the Capital Development Authority, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Climate Change, directing them to submit para-wise replies along with a comprehensive report.

The hearing has been adjourned until 2 February