ISLAMABAD: In a formal letter issued on April 17, 2026, a diverse group of civil society representatives called upon the newly appointed chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to shift the city’s developmental focus from “brick and mortar” projects to the preservation of “flowers and butterflies”.
The outreach signals a growing public desire for sustainable urban planning, following dissatisfaction with the previous administration’s emphasis on road expansion at the expense of Islamabad’s greenery.
The signatories expressed their collective support for the new chairman and offered to serve as constructive partners in the city’s development. However, the group raised concerns regarding the gradual loss of tree cover and ecological balance due to recent infrastructure projects.
Key recommendations included:
1) Shifting Transportation Focus: Prioritising a well-integrated public transport system over the continued expansion of road networks to meet long-term needs sustainably.
2) Participatory Governance: Establishing a culture of broad-based, meaningful consultation with stakeholders before finalising major policy decisions or projects.
3) Authentic Engagement: Ensuring that public consultations are genuinely participatory and not merely procedural.
The appeal is supported by a broad spectrum of professionals and residents who signed in their individual capacities. The list of signatories includes prominent figures such as Dr Nasir Mehmood (Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University), Haroon-ur-Rashid (President of the Supreme Court Bar Association), Dr Tariq Banuri (former Chairman of the Higher Education Commission), Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri (Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute) and Tariq Pirzada (former Chief Commissioner of the Islamabad Capital Territory).
The group has invited the chairman to an introductory meeting to foster trust and collaborative problem-solving. Coordination for the initiative is being managed by focal person Abid Ahmad Hashmat.
The full text of the letter and ongoing updates have been published on a dedicated Facebook page titled “Islamabad Matters 2026”. The signatories emphasised that while many more residents wished to sign, the selected individuals represent the wide-ranging commitment to making Islamabad a “truly world-class” and livable capital.
