By Hina Kiyani
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Health has launched a comprehensive and historic campaign to eradicate pollen allergy in the federal capital, on the directions of the prime minister.
According to ministry of Health on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Malik, a detailed roadmap was prepared, followed by coordinated action between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of National Health Services.
As part of the initiative, a three-phase, science-based operation targeting pollen-causing trees and plants have been successfully completed. A total of around 29,115 such trees—identified as the primary source of pollen allergy—have been removed from various areas of Islamabad, including F-9 Park, Shakarparian and several major sectors of the city, it further stated.
Authorities clarified that only pollen-allergy–causing trees were removed, while local and non-allergenic trees remain fully protected. It was also announced that three new indigenous trees will be planted to replace each uprooted tree.
So far, more than 40,000 eco-friendly trees have already been planted in the affected areas. In addition, tenders have been issued for plantation of more tree with the support of private sector and the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), it noted.
Rehabilitation work is currently underway across 81 acres land in Shakarparian, with the project scheduled for completion by April 2026, it underscored.
The initiative has yielded encouraging health outcomes, with a report of around 23 percent reduction in pollen vaccination cases over the past two years. Comparing to 2023, the allergy cases dropped to less than half in 2025.
While pollen-related cases in November and December 2025 were recorded at historic lows, it added.
