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RAWALPINDI: The remodelling of Kachehri Chowk in Rawalpindi is progressing with a new deadline set for completion by April 30. The project, which includes the construction of two flyovers and three underpasses, is expected to open the busy junction to traffic by this date, following directives from the Punjab government.
According to Punjab Highway Department Executive Engineer Qamar Ali Saqib, over 45% of the work has been completed. Structural work, including the guide beam and piling at Kachehri Chowk and the Jinnah Park underpass, will be finished before Eid-ul-Fitr. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) is working around the clock to ensure the project meets its revised deadline.
The project includes several key features, such as a four-lane flyover between The Mall and Rashid Minhas Road, and underpasses at Kachehri Chowk and Mushtaq Baig Shaheed Road, aimed at managing traffic flows of over 250,000 vehicles daily. The total cost of the Kachehri Chowk flyover and underpass project is Rs5.974 billion, while the Annexy Chowk (Jinnah Park) project carries a budget of Rs4.672 billion.
In addition to roadwork, the Punjab Highway Department is collaborating with the Rawalpindi Parks and Horticulture Authority to enhance green spaces around the new flyovers and underpasses. Plantations will begin next month after the completion of road construction.
On Peshawar Road, work is underway to relocate electricity pylons for the construction of three underpasses at Race Course Park, Army Graveyard Square, and Charing Cross Square. The Rs8 billion project is designed to improve traffic flow for 250,736 daily commuters.
The remodelling of Kachehri Chowk and associated projects are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and improve infrastructure in Rawalpindi.
ISLAMABAD: A major revision to Islamabad’s property valuation rates, first announced in December 2025, is once again being widely discussed in early 2026 due to its expected impact on taxes and real estate transactions.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has sharply increased property valuation rates across the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) for 2026. The revision has surprised buyers, sellers, and investors. Many fear it will raise the overall cost of buying and selling property.
The increase was introduced through notification S.R.O. 2392(I)/2026. According to the updated valuation tables, rates have risen by 150% to 200% in many locations. The new valuations apply to 68 residential, commercial, and rural localities across Islamabad. Premium sectors and major housing schemes are among the most affected.
A major change is the introduction of a dual taxation approach. Property owners will now face tax calculations on both land value and superstructure (construction). FBR has also introduced fixed superstructure valuation rates. Buildings up to five years old will be assessed at Rs. 4,000 per square foot. Older structures will be valued at Rs. 3,000 per square foot.
In central Islamabad, the highest residential plot valuation is in Sector E-7, set at Rs. 600,000 per square yard. Sectors F-6 and F-7 are valued at Rs. 500,000, while F-8 stands at Rs. 450,000 per square yard. Other sectors such as F-10, F-11, and G-6 are valued at Rs. 350,000.
Commercial plots have seen the steepest jump. Valuations in E-7, F-6, F-7, and F-8 have reached Rs. 2.5 million per square yard. This is expected to affect commercial leasing and new construction plans.
Farmhouse and industrial areas have also been revised upward. Chak Shahzad farmhouses are now valued at Rs. 11.2 million per kanal. Industrial zones like I-9 and I-10 have been valued up to Rs. 18 million per kanal.
Market experts expect a short-term slowdown in transactions. Many investors may wait for clarity before making deals. The policy is seen as part of broader efforts to document real estate and increase tax collection.
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that construction work on the Karachi–Chaman highway has officially started. He said the project will be completed in one year. Earlier, it was expected to take two years.
The prime minister called the highway a major step for safer travel. He said the current route has a long history of deadly accidents. The new highway will improve road safety and regional connectivity.
PM Sharif told the federal cabinet that he recently visited Quetta. He laid the foundation stone of the highway there. The road will be nearly 850 kilometres long. It will link Karachi to Chaman through key areas of Balochistan.
He said the project will cost around Rs400 billion. The entire cost will be paid by the federal government. He explained that funds were arranged through savings. These savings came when the government did not reduce fuel prices despite falling global oil prices. He said this money is now being used for national development.
The prime minister also highlighted support for farmers. He said a Rs75 billion agricultural package for Balochistan has been completed. Out of this, Rs50 billion was provided by the federal government. He added that solar energy solutions are being introduced to reduce dependence on unreliable electricity. Farmers can now irrigate their lands using solar panels.
He also shared updates about Daanish schools in the province. He said construction has begun and contractors are mobilised. He added that the plan has expanded from five schools to seven. The goal is to improve education and opportunities in underserved areas.
KARACHI: Jahangir Road, a vital link between two districts in Karachi, is set for a major reconstruction. The road has long suffered from severe damage and drainage problems, affecting residents and commuters.
At the foundation-laying ceremony on Wednesday, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab highlighted the importance of this project. He noted that while the road was initially built by the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), it had been repeatedly damaged during rains due to outdated drainage systems.
This time, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will fully fund the reconstruction. The project will not only rebuild the road but also replace the old sewerage system. Stormwater drains will be added on both sides to prevent future flooding.
The road will feature a 3-inch asphalt base, a 2-inch asphalt concrete wearing course, and 50,000 square feet of new carpeting. Additionally, 2,000 feet of stormwater drains will be constructed, along with 252,000 square feet of 80mm paver blocks.
The original project timeline was 90 days, but it has been shortened to 60 days to reduce public inconvenience. Work will continue day and night to meet the deadline.
Once completed, the road will improve traffic flow, drainage, and overall infrastructure for local residents. This project is part of a larger initiative to develop over 400 roads across the city, with a total budget of Rs. 46 billion.
KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan extended their rally on Tuesday, supported by strong local demand and a firm upward trend in international bullion markets amid ongoing global uncertainty.
According to data released by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association (APGJA), the price of gold surged by Rs9,000 per tola to Rs481,862, while the rate for 10 grams increased by Rs771 to Rs413,118.
Market experts attributed the continued rise to volatility in international markets and concerns over the global economic outlook, prompting investors to seek safe-haven assets. On the international front, gold prices edged up by $9, trading at $4,595 per ounce.
Traders said the local bullion market remains closely linked to international price movements, with domestic rates also influenced by currency fluctuations and investor sentiment, as gold continues to attract buyers amid heightened uncertainty.
A special report on the paper mulberry eradication campaign, the public backlash, competing claims of legality, and the long-term climate and economic cost of losing mature urban green cover.
ISLAMABAD: The drive along Shakarparian Road still feels familiar, until it doesn’t. One moment, the route is shaded by Islamabad’s old, settled tree canopy. Next, the green abruptly disappears, replaced by bare earth and freshly turned soil.
Along the roadside, labourers dig shallow pits. Nearby, pine saplings lie waiting for a plantation. A signboard makes its promise in bold letters: “Greener and Healthier Islamabad, Indigenous Tree Plantation.”
Yet, it is not the saplings that have captured the public’s attention; it is what is missing: decades-old, mature trees that once defined the capital’s identity.
In recent days, the cutting of trees in Islamabad has triggered widespread public anger, forcing explanations from the government, pushing environmental groups into the spotlight, and raising an uncomfortable debate about whether the city’s green cover is being sacrificed under the banner of public health and development.
LATEST UPDATE: “IHC Halts CDA from Cutting Trees in Islamabad”
On January 15, 2026, the Islamabad High Court directed CDA to immediately stop cutting of trees in Islamabad. The court issued this order after a petition alleging that the tree removal violated environmental laws was filed. The CDA is required to submit a detailed report, and notices were issued to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Climate Change. The hearing has been adjourned until February 2.
Why This Matters? | Cutting of Trees in Islamabad
Beyond the immediate controversy, the cutting of trees in Islamabad episode lays bare a deeper governance dilemma: how a modern capital balances public health, rapid development, and climate resilience. In urban terms, tree cover is not decoration; it is infrastructure.
It cools neighbourhoods, filters air, prevents soil erosion, buffers floods, and protects water resources. Its removal can have long-lasting economic and climate consequences that outlive any short-term administrative goals.
What Happened and Where? Cutting of Trees in Islamabad
Large-scale cutting of trees in Islamabad was reported at several locations in Islamabad, including:
H-8 (along a portion of the Islamabad Expressway, where a park is being upgraded)
Chak Shahzad (where decades-old trees were cut for the construction of a dual carriageway)
In Shakarparian, citizens claim at least four patches have been cleared, collectively spread over more than 15 acres near Lok Virsa, leaving large stretches resembling open, barren land.
The cutting of trees in Islamabad has remained a hot topic online, with residents sharing images and videos of deforested patches, questioning both the scale of the operation and the intent behind it.
The Official Position: Only Paper Mulberry Was Removed
The government’s defence rests on one central claim: that the cutting of trees in Islamabad is not arbitrary, but targeted and legally backed.
Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadiq Malik, speaking on Friday after chairing a meeting on the issue, stated that around 29,000 paper mulberry trees had been removed in Islamabad in line with the Supreme Court’s orders issued in 2023.
The minister said the directive was implemented again in 2025 to rid the city of what he described as an invasive, non-indigenous, and life-threatening species.
Paper mulberry, the minister claimed, is a major contributor to allergies and can cause fatal complications among chronic asthma patients. He added that the felling plan was finalised after confirming with the Ministry of Health that the species posed a major health concern.
“We are not planting non-indigenous species,” he said, adding that every tree chopped would be replaced at a ratio of one cut tree to three new saplings/trees.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) also maintains that in Shakarparian, only paper mulberry trees were chopped down.
What the Numbers Say? | Cutting of Trees in Islamabad
According to CDA’s DG Environment Irfan Khan Niazi, the operation has proceeded under court directions with close supervision by CDA staff and documentation from cutting of trees in Islamabad to loading.
He stated:
approximately 12,000 paper mulberry trees were removed from F-9 Park
8,700 were cut in Shakarparian
Additional locations, including H-8, were also included
In total, the CDA reports that 29,115 paper mulberry trees have been removed to date.
The Public’s Concern: ‘This Was Not Only Paper Mulberry’
Despite official assurances, residents insist the reality on the ground looks far broader than a targeted health operation.
In Shakarparian, citizens stated that besides paper mulberry, other trees also appeared to have been cut down, and that large swathes of tree cover were cleared in a manner inconsistent with a selective removal drive.
For many, the question is not merely “why was paper mulberry removed?” but:
Why was the removal so abrupt?
Why did it involve such large patches of cleared land?
and whether decades-old green cover can truly be replaced by saplings in any meaningful timeframe?
Development Projects: The Road and Housing Link | Cutting of Trees in Islamabad
In Chak Shahzad, cutting of trees in Islamabad was carried out for the construction of a dual carriageway intended to connect to a CDA-DHA-owned housing scheme from Park Road, linking the controversy directly to Islamabad’s real-estate expansion and infrastructure development model.
Cutting of trees in Islamabad, H8, took place where a park is being upgraded alongside the Expressway.
This intersection, between ecological removal drives and physical development projects, has strengthened public suspicion that cutting of trees in Islamabad may not be purely a health-driven intervention.
The WWF Report and the ‘Bigger Reality’
Environmental groups argue that the issue is more complex than official explanations.
A WWF-Pakistan report criticised the recent removals and land clearing in Islamabad, stating that while the paper mulberry eradication drive is a major factor, extensive vegetation loss also stems from unchecked infrastructure development.
Field inspections conducted from December 2025 to January 2026 reportedly found large-scale clearing along:
H-8 Islamabad Expressway
Margalla Enclave Link Road
Shakarparian
The report raised concerns over:
lack of transparency
weak site-specific planning
monitoring gaps
incomplete restoration and exposed soil
Experts Warn: It’s Not Just Trees, It’s the City’s Climate System
Experts caution that even if paper mulberry removal is justified, the method matters.
Climate policy advocate Dr Zainab Naeem said the issue was not the removal itself but the alleged mismanagement, warning that the court-mandated phased approach, ecological assessment and prior afforestation steps appear to have been ignored. She stated native species such as shisham were reportedly also cut, as highlighted in WWF’s findings.
She described the move as climate misgovernance, warning that Islamabad is already developing an urban heat island effect due to concretisation and declining green buffers.
He stressed that even public-health-driven removal must follow proper mechanisms, because replacing trees with concrete accelerates heating, disrupts rainfall patterns, and accelerates degradation.
The Economic Cost Behind the Environmental Cost | Cutting of Trees in Islamabad
Beyond ecology, the cutting of trees in Islamabad canopy plays a direct economic role.
Urban analysts note that the loss of mature trees can lead to:
Higher electricity demand (cooling loads increase with higher temperatures)
Higher public health spending due to heat stress, dust, and air quality decline
increased stormwater runoff and greater risk of flooding, raising infrastructure repair costs
weaker livability, reducing quality-of-life indicators that sustain long-term urban value
In effect, while development projects may generate short-term economic activity through construction, poorly managed loss of ecological buffers can create long-term liabilities that quietly burden households and government alike.
Accountability Questions: What Was Approved, and Who Monitored?
The controversy has also revived core governance questions, especially in the context of environmental permissions:
Were site-specific ecological plans made public?
Were environmental assessments and approvals properly disclosed?
What independent monitoring existed beyond agency statements?
How was “only paper mulberry” verified on the ground?
Were permissions and licensing processes fully compliant?
Dr Malik directed that a transparent mechanism be developed to ensure compliance with laws, rules and procedures related to such campaigns, an indication that the current process may lack public confidence.
Notably, while official handouts discussed cutting in multiple sectors, they reportedly did not mention cutting of trees in Islamabad along Park Road in Chak Shahzad, raising further questions about disclosure.
CDA’s Plantation Response: A January Drive Amid Frost
Amid criticism, the CDA launched a plantation campaign in January, a month usually associated with frost and not traditionally viewed as ideal for mass plantation.
Historically, CDA plantation drives typically began around mid-February. This time, the plantation began over a month early in the Shakarparian area.
CDA officials defended the timing by stating that only suitable species, including Chir Pine, were being planted and that the drive aims to plant 30,000 trees, with greater momentum expected next month.
However, critics questioned whether the plantation effort was ecological restoration or merely damage control.
PM Takes Notice
After sustained pressure from citizens and civil society, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the alleged cutting of trees in Islamabad and sought a report from the CDA.
The government’s response suggests recognition that public anger has moved beyond social media outrage into a politically sensitive urban governance issue.
The Bigger Debate: Health, Development and a City’s Identity
Islamabad’s paper mulberry dilemma is not a simple question of trees versus health. It is a debate about trust, transparency and what kind of capital Pakistan wants to build: one shaped by ecological planning, or one repeatedly “fixed” after irreversible damage.
So the question that arises here is: was this drastic approach truly necessary, or could public health have been protected without stripping the capital bare?
RAWALPINDI: The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has reported a 57 per cent shortfall in property and professional tax collection across Rawalpindi Division during the first six months of fiscal year 2025–26 (July 1 to December 31), amid mounting economic pressures, including inflation and unemployment.
During a visit to Rawalpindi, Additional Director General Rizwan Akram Sherwani conducted an open hearing to address complaints and petitions filed by taxpayers from Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, and Chakwal. The petitions challenged property tax bills amounting to millions of rupees, with taxpayers alleging excessive and incorrect assessments.
The Additional DG approved all appeals and directed the immediate cancellation of inflated bills, ordering excise inspectors to issue revised and reduced bills strictly in line with applicable laws. Incorrect assessments were annulled, while inspectors found responsible for excessive or fictitious billing were issued strict warnings.
Authorities also initiated action against specific excise inspectors accused of sending fake property tax bills worth millions to major housing societies and later issuing reduced bills after alleged settlements.
In a separate incident, the department imposed a professional tax of Rs 1.5 million on a cricket ground owned by a private housing society near Taxila, prompting strong protests from the management.
Following continued underperformance, the director general of excise has issued show-cause notices to excise inspectors and directed them to recover tax targets within the next two months. Officials reiterated that excessive billing will not be tolerated and urged citizens to pay taxes on time, citing tax compliance as essential for public service delivery.
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority has moved forward with plans to connect Margalla Avenue to the Peshawar Motorway (M-1), marking a significant step toward enhancing regional traffic flow and improving access to the federal capital.
CDA has invited tenders for the construction of the final 2.7-kilometre stretch of Margalla Avenue, which will include an interchange on GT Road. According to officials, technical bids will be opened on January 23, and the project is expected to be completed within eight months once construction begins.
At the road’s endpoint near Sangjani Grid Station, the National Highway Authority will undertake construction of an additional 2.5-kilometre section within Rawalpindi’s jurisdiction. This section will connect the route to M-1 near the AWT Housing Society. NHA has already awarded a Rs 4.1 billion contract for this segment to the National Logistic Cell.
The project, which has been under discussion for nearly five years, is designed as a three-lane dual carriageway with two-lane service roads, featuring a cloverleaf interchange. Once completed, it will provide a six-lane alternative route for commuters travelling between Islamabad and GT Road (N-5), easing congestion on existing arteries.
Separately, CDA officials confirmed preparations to invite bids for an underpass near Islamabad Club on Murree Road, with the design currently undergoing finalisation. The authority stated that these initiatives align with its broader agenda to enhance urban mobility and road infrastructure in the capital.
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority has intensified its anti-encroachment campaign in the federal capital, successfully retrieving more than 900 kanals of valuable state land from illegal occupants during a recent enforcement operation.
Progress of the drive was reviewed in a high-level meeting at CDA Headquarters, chaired by Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad. Senior officials from the Authority’s enforcement, planning, environment, and administration wings attended the meeting.
Officials briefed that a focused operation was carried out against land mafia elements in the Diplomatic Enclave and adjoining areas, including the former Muslim Colony. The campaign was conducted in line with orders of the Islamabad High Court, ensuring due legal process. A temporary site office was established on the Chairman’s directives, where officials from the Revenue and Planning Wings reviewed ownership claims and resolved legitimate cases in accordance with the law.
CDA further confirmed that FIRs are being registered against those involved in illegal occupation of state land and misleading citizens through unauthorised constructions. The Enforcement Wing is operating with the full support of the District Administration and Islamabad Police.
Chairman CDA emphasised that all genuine claims would be handled fairly while reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to organised urban planning, protection of state land, and elimination of encroachments across Islamabad.
CDA has appealed to citizens to cooperate with authorities and promptly report any illegal construction or encroachment. The Authority noted that state land worth billions of rupees has been recovered so far as part of these ongoing enforcement efforts.
ISLAMABAD: In a significant diplomatic move, Pakistan and China have agreed to align their development strategies under the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), now known as CPEC 2.0. The agreement was reached during the Seventh Round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
Both countries reaffirmed their longstanding strategic partnership, with CPEC 2.0 being a major milestone in their economic and political cooperation. The upgraded corridor will focus on key sectors, including industry, agriculture, and mining, with a strong emphasis on Gwadar Port development and ensuring the smooth operation of the Karakoram Highway. These initiatives aim to boost sustainable development and strengthen Pakistan’s economic resilience.
Additionally, Pakistan and China agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and cybersecurity, alongside technical exchanges in science, education, and vocational training. The opening of the Khunjerab Pass year-round will further enhance bilateral trade and people-to-people ties.
The dialogue also touched on global and regional issues, with both nations committing to deepen mutual trust and safeguard common interests. They underscored their readiness to collaborate on counter-terrorism, finance, space cooperation, and multilateral forums.
Looking forward, the two sides are preparing for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026 and have reaffirmed their commitment to the Action Plan for 2025–2029, aiming for closer bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
The next round of talks will be held in Islamabad next year, continuing the momentum of strategic collaboration.
