ISLAMABAD: Under the directive of the Prime Minister, a roadmap has been prepared to eliminate pollen allergy from Islamabad under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Health, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Malik.
A joint action by the Ministry of National Health and Capital Development Authority was initiated on the Prime Minister’s instructions.
Work has already started, and about 29,000 pollen allergy-causing trees have been removed in Islamabad.
A three-phase scientific operation against pollen allergy-causing trees, specifically paper mulberry trees, has already been completed.
From the Federal Capital, a total of 29,115 paper mulberry trees causing pollen allergy have been removed.
The paper mulberry trees have been removed from Shakarparian, F-9 Park and major sectors.
According to the official statement, the local trees and the trees which do not cause allergy are safe; only paper mulberry trees were targeted.
The statement further explained that with every tree removed, three new local trees will be planted.
In the areas where paper mulberry trees were removed, over 40,000 environmentally friendly trees have been planted.
With the support of OGDC and the private sector, a tender for an additional 18,000 trees has also been issued.
Restoration Work is still ongoing in Shakarparian on more than 81 acres; it will be completed by April 2026.
The initiative has resulted in the reduction of pollen allergy cases. The pollen vaccination cases have dropped by 23 per cent in just two years.
If allergy cases are compared to 2023, in 2025, they have decreased to less than half.
The statement concluded with the fact that in November and December 2025, pollen cases were reported at a record low.
This initiative will be very beneficial to the residents of Islamabad. Every year, especially in Spring many residents of Islamabad suffer from pollen allergies. The removal of paper mulberry trees will improve their quality of life.
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