The recent tree-cutting drive in Islamabad has sparked significant controversy, with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) defending its actions in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). According to Tribune Latest, the CDA stated that the removal of paper mulberry trees was scientifically backed and approved by the competent authority, emphasizing that these trees are a major source of pollen allergies in the region. The CDA's six-page report highlighted that an environmental committee, formed in 2022 and including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), had recommended the removal after public hearings in 2023. The CDA further noted that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had directed the operation following an article by journalist Saleem Safi in 2024, which brought attention to the allergy issue.