Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured Islamabad residents that the upcoming upgrade of F-9 Park will not involve cutting trees or building new concrete structures.

In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Naqvi said the government would preserve all existing trees while improving the park’s facilities.

He said the proposed improvements include better lighting, a lake, coffee shops and upgraded walkways. Thousands of additional trees will also be planted as part of the plan.

Naqvi said the objective was to make the park greener, safer and more attractive for families and other visitors.

The announcement follows concerns raised by environmental activists and residents over the government’s plans to redevelop the capital’s green spaces. In a video shared on Instagram, an environmental activist urged authorities to protect F-9 Park and focus on planting more trees instead of developing large structures.

The concerns emerged after Naqvi announced plans on October 21 to renovate F-9 Park and develop four additional parks in Islamabad on a similar model.

Officially known as Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9 Park is one of Islamabad’s major public green spaces. It has previously been at the centre of controversy over tree removal, including a drive targeting paper mulberry trees to address pollen allergies.

The latest assurances are intended to address concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed upgrade. However, further details about the project’s implementation and timeline have not been announced.