ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army on Wednesday sealed Bhara Kahu, a densely populated locality on the outskirts of the federal capital, by closing all entry and exit points after a group of people tested positive for coronavirus in the area.
“The area has been completely locked down for all kind of movement … our teams are surveying the locality for more suspected cases,” Hamza Shafqaat, Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner, told Arab News.
He said that a total of 16 people had tested positive for coronavirus from the area while another 15 were quarantined at their homes on the suspicion of contracting the virus. “We are expecting their test reports by evening today [Wednesday],” he said.
The deputy commissioner said the army troops had taken charge of the area along with Rangers and police to ensure the safety and security of the public.
Pakistan has 1,000 diagnosed patients of coronavirus as of Wednesday, and it has recorded eight fatalities due to the viral infection since February 26, according to the Ministry of National Health Services.
The country is struggling to contain the spread of the virus through different initiatives, including testing suspected cases, establishing large quarantine centers and restricting movement of people through partial lockdowns.
The capital administration on Monday placed Islamabad’s union council of Kot Hathial under quarantine after six members of Tablighi Jamaat residing in the area tested positive for coronavirus. After a man from Kyrgyzstan who was part of the preaching team tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, samples were sent for testing of other members of the delegation as well.
Shortly after that, 16 people of Bhara Kahu neighborhood tested positive on Wednesday, compelling the army troops to move in and seal the whole area including grocery shops and pharmacies.
“This area is being sealed on the government’s directives as coronavirus has spread in the locality,” security forces announced through a megaphone while requesting people to stay at their homes.
According to the district administration, at least six check posts have been set up at the entry and exit points of the locality with special teams from the National Institute of Health (NIH) screening hundreds of people to prevent further spread of the virus.
The administration has advised the people to self-quarantine at homes as a precautionary measure along with warnings against violating the restrictions.
“A penalty of 6-month imprisonment or 100,000 rupees fine will be imposed if anyone violates the restriction orders,” Inspector Naeem Iqbal, a police spokesman, told Arab News.
Coronavirus: Army seals Islamabad’s neighborhood after 16 test positive
https://arab.news/pvpuy
Coronavirus: Army seals Islamabad’s neighborhood after 16 test positive
- At least 15 suspected cases are quarantined at their homes in Bhara Kahu and their test reports are awaited, says the deputy commissioner
- Anyone violating the restrictions could face 6-month imprisonment or Rs 100,000 fine
Pakistan high court pauses tree-cutting in Islamabad until Feb. 2
- Islamabad High Court asks CDA to ‘explain and justify’ tree-cutting at next hearing
- CDA officials say 29,000 trees were cut due to allergies, deny felling in green belts
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has ordered an immediate halt to tree-cutting in the federal capital until Feb. 2, seeking justification from civic authorities over the legality of a large-scale felling drive that has seen thousands of trees removed in recent months.
The interim order, issued by a single-judge bench led by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, came during proceedings on a petition challenging the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) tree-cutting operations in Islamabad’s Shakarparian area and H-8 sector.
At the outset of the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that trees were being felled in violation of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, the Islamabad Wildlife Ordinance 1979 and the city’s master plan.
“Respondents shall not cut trees till the next date of hearing,” Justice Soomro said in the court order released on Friday while referring to CDA officials.
“Respondents are directed to come fully prepared and to file paragraph-wise comments before the next date of hearing, along with a comprehensive report explaining the justification and legal basis for the cutting of trees,” he added.
According to the court order, the petitioner maintained that the CDA had not made any public disclosure regarding the legal basis for the operation and that the felling was causing environmental harm.
The petition sought access to the official record of tree-cutting activities and called for the penalization of CDA officials responsible for the act under relevant criminal and environmental laws.
It also urged the court to impose a moratorium on infrastructure projects in Islamabad, order large-scale replanting as compensation and constitute a judicial commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to probe the alleged violations.
CDA officials acknowledge around 29,000 paper mulberry trees have been cut in the capital in recent months, arguing that the species triggers seasonal allergies such as sneezing, itchy eyes and nasal congestion.
They also maintain that no trees have been removed from designated green belts and that the number of replacement trees planted exceeds those felled.
Designed in the 1960s by Greek architect Constantinos Doxiadis, Islamabad was conceived as a low-density city with green belts and protected natural zones at its core.
Critics, however, say the recent felling has extended beyond paper mulberry trees and question whether authorities are adhering to the city’s master plan and the legal protections governing forested and green areas.
The court has adjourned its hearing until Feb. 2, 2026.
