Written by Ambreen Ali
Climate change is currently affecting Pakistan just like the rest of the world. Despite the challenges posed by climate change, the capital city, Islamabad, seems to be shining brightly. With the Shanghai Conference approaching, it feels as though Islamabad has taken a strong stand against climate change. Just days before the conference, the CDA (Capital Development Authority) began beautifying the city’s roads. The Expressway, the busiest road in the city, was painted and repaired at Faizabad.
Crossing Faizabad on the Expressway, the CDA decorated green belts, installed lights, and planted trees along the highway. As you move further, CDA staff made an effort to clean the streets thoroughly, perhaps for the first time with such dedication. The roads and bridges of Islamabad have been upgraded and beautified. This initiative aims to warmly welcome distinguished international guests attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
All routes for the guests in Islamabad have been lined with electric lights and screens. At night, the streets and buildings sparkle; trees in the green belts have been trimmed, and vibrant lights have been installed. Colorful murals have been painted under the bridges. Particularly in the Red Zone, which is usually the most beautiful and clean part of the city, flowers bloom in abundance in front of Parliament. These artificial flowers have enhanced the beauty of the capital, and amidst them, a peacock made of flowers stands. Outside Parliament, a butterfly made of flowers adorns the roundabout. The entire Constitution Avenue is lined with flags from various countries.
However, the citizens of Islamabad are currently unable to enjoy these festivities as they are confined to their homes. Ministers from China, India, Iran, and Uzbekistan are in Islamabad for the Shanghai Conference, and to ensure their security, citizens have been given leave to avoid crowds. Many residents are unhappy with this decision, feeling restricted, but it may be that the public’s awareness of environmental protection is not yet strong enough, prompting the government to keep them indoors to preserve the city’s vibrancy. Environmental issues will also be discussed at the Shanghai Conference, and it is hoped that this gathering of major nations will develop a comprehensive plan to address these challenges. The goal is for future environmental beauty to be natural rather than artificial.
