A major government initiative to eradicate the invasive Paper Mulberry tree, responsible for an overwhelming 94 percent of the capital’s pollen, is projected to slash respiratory allergies by over 40 percent, a Senate committee heard on Thursday.
According to an official report, the programme addresses a decades-long public health emergency that saw pollen counts reach an unprecedented 82,000 grains per cubic metre in 2022, triggering severe asthma and other life-threatening respiratory conditions.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, the Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRand C), provided a detailed briefing on the Paper Mulberry Management and Ecological Restoration plan to the Senate Standing Committee, which was chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman.
The Minister of State highlighted that the non-native Paper Mulberry, introduced between the 1960s and 1980s, poses exceptional health risks. Its lightweight pollen particles penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to severe allergic rhinitis, acute asthma exacerbations, and potentially fatal status asthmaticus.
Tangible progress was demonstrated through data from the NIH Allergy Centre. Late-year allergy cases declined from over 2,300 in 2023 to 1,031 in 2025 following targeted removals. Furthermore, overall allergy prevalence among the populace decreased from 45.8 percent in 2023 to 33.3 percent in 2025, indicating a reduced per-capita risk despite population growth.
To ensure the permanent removal of the invasive species, Dr Malik explained that the Ministry, in coordination with the Capital Development Authority (CDA), is implementing a rigorous three-step protocol involving cutting, complete uprooting of the root system, and soil compaction to prevent aggressive resprouting.
To date, 29,115 of the approximately 80,000 Paper Mulberry trees identified for removal have been cleared, with operations prioritising high-density areas such as F-9 Park and Shakarparian.
Ecological restoration is a cornerstone of the project, the committee was informed. Under a 3:1 restoration policy, three indigenous trees are planted for every Paper Mulberry uprooted. By April 2026, it is expected that around 90,000 native saplings, including Kachnar, Amaltas, Desi Toot, and the drought-resilient Pilkan, will have been planted.
The initiative is being bolstered through public-private partnerships, with contributions from corporate entities including OGDCL, MIRA Power, and Beaconhouse.
Concluding the briefing, the Minister noted that the programme aligns the capital with international best practices in urban environmental health, similar to those adopted in the United States and Australia. He expressed confidence that the project’s anticipated completion by April 2026 would result in sustained control of seasonal pollen levels and a measurable decline in related illnesses across the federal capital.