Who Painted Islamabad’s Stream Rocks? Citizens Demand CDA Action
Images circulating on social media show several rocks in a natural Islamabad waterway painted red with Urdu lettering, prompting calls for the Capital Development Authority to investigate and remove the markings.
ISLAMABAD: Images showing rocks apparently painted with promotional or commercial-style Urdu lettering in a natural waterway in Islamabad have triggered criticism on social media, with citizens calling on the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to take action against those responsible.
Citizens Raise Concerns
The photographs, shared on social media on August 16, show several rocks inside a muddy stream surrounded by dense vegetation.
Multiple stones appear to have been painted red and marked with white Urdu lettering, altering the natural appearance of the site.
A social media user tagged the CDA’s official account while demanding action and suggested that, if the markings are linked to a commercial establishment, the responsible party should be made to clean the rocks and face a penalty.
Responsibility Not Established
The images themselves, however, do not establish who painted the rocks, when the markings were made, or whether the lettering was authorised.
Islamabad Tribune could not independently verify the identity of the person or business responsible from the material available online.
CDA Beautification Efforts
The controversy comes as the CDA continues to publicly emphasise beautification and environmental improvement across Islamabad.
The authority has previously announced landscaping and beautification measures for major roads, green belts and prominent locations, while also calling for improved cleanliness across the capital.
The incident has consequently raised a broader question about the use of natural landscapes for informal advertising and the responsibility of businesses and individuals to protect Islamabad’s green spaces and waterways.
CDA Response Awaited
As of publication, Islamabad Tribune had not found a publicly available CDA statement specifically confirming enforcement action over the rocks shown in the circulating photographs.
Any determination of responsibility — and whether the markings constitute an actionable violation — would require verification by the relevant authorities.
