A contempt petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The petition claims that the CDA violated a clear court order by uprooting and transplanting trees for a road expansion project in Islamabad.
The IHC had previously restrained the CDA from cutting trees in the federal capital in a writ petition filed on January 15, 2026. Despite the standing order, work has reportedly begun on the Ataturk Avenue expansion from D-Chowk to Ayub Chowk. Several mature trees have already been removed, and more are planned along the road alignment.
The petition emphasizes that labeling the activity as “transplantation” does not bypass the court’s order. Experts say uprooting mature trees often leads to their destruction, causing permanent environmental damage. The petition highlights that such actions violate the citizens’ right to a clean and healthy environment.
Muhammad Naveed Ahmad, through his counsel Mudassir Latif Abbasi, Advocate, has requested the IHC to initiate contempt proceedings. The petition calls for summoning the CDA chairman and other officials, halting all ongoing work, and ordering remedial and accountability measures.
The petition also warns that continued tree uprooting could render pending writ proceedings ineffective and cause irreversible damage to Islamabad’s green cover. Environmental advocates have expressed serious concern over the CDA’s actions, citing both ecological and legal implications.
The IHC is expected to review the petition and decide on the next course of action. Observers say the case raises broader questions about balancing urban development with environmental protection in Pakistan’s capital.
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Authorities stressed the importance of following IHC directives to maintain public trust and protect Islamabad’s shrinking greenery. The decision could set an important precedent for how environmental rules are enforced in urban projects.
