Journalist Riaz Haq has posted a video on X showing clearance of trees and excavation work on Srinagar Highway (formerly Kashmir Highway) for the construction of a petrol pump, drawing strong reactions on social media.
The footage showed rainwater being pumped out from a stripped section of land right next to the G-8 sector as construction crews prepare the terrain for further excavation.
According to Haq, the clearing makes way for a new petrol pump near Itwar Bazaar. He noted that multiple fuel stations already operated on the same stretch near G-13 and G-14, including PSO, Total and Aramco.
“This endless greed shows no signs of stopping. Trees are being destroyed, while the CDA and authorities remain silent,” Haq said.
Journalist Zahid Gishkori reposted the video on X, tagging the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and calling for an investigation into commercial developments along the city’s green belts.
“Yet another commercial activity on Green Belt in Islamabad? Someone look into it,” Gishkori wrote.
The post triggered strong reactions from residents and observers online, who tagged Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and CDA Chairman Lt (r) Sohail Ashraf, demanding an immediate stop to the clearance.
Users also expressed anger over the rapid loss of Islamabad’s green cover.
“Dear Mr Prime Minister @CMShehbaz Please look into this matter, Mafia is destroying green belt at #SrinagarHighway for another petrol station.”
Others highlighted systemic regulatory failures across the capital.
“We will leave all of Islamabad in ruins; it is mandatory for societies to maintain 40 percent greenery, but there is no one to look after Islamabad outside the societies and those green belts,” wrote another.
A third user voiced frustration with city administration, noting, “This is by far the worst management this city has ever come under. Every other week we see and hear a new story in which our beautiful trees are being cut out.”
Directing criticism toward civic officials, another post read, “Shame on you guys. You have literally turned this beautiful city into a concrete jungle!”
One post tagged the CDA chief directly, asserting, “Mashallah this city will soon turn into Karachi… You said that you’d make the city greener and less concrete and protect the environment… But everything is going opposite.”
The CDA has not yet issued an official statement regarding the construction or the environmental clearance status for the site.
