Not so long before, Islamabad the capital of Pakistan was considered to be a health asylum due to its climate conditions. Even people from other major cities seek haven against bronchial and asthma diseases. But there was an antithetical situation after 1990’s, now people rushing out from Islamabad to avoid falling prey of allergy.

The spring season in capital starts from March. Instead of welcoming the flowers and colors, citizen of Islamabad have to welcome an uninvited guest popularly called ‘Pollen”. The most abundant pollen types in Islamabad are from 08 trees (i. e. Paper Mulberry, Acacia, Eucalyptus, Pines, Grasses, Cannabis, Dandelion and Alternaria). Out of all these plants Paper Mulberry shares about 97% of the Total Pollen Count (TPC) during spring season.  Scientific name of Paper Mulberry is Broussonetia papyrifera which was introduced in Islamabad from South East Asia. It is a dioecious tree; its male and female flowers grow on separate trees. Male plant is catkins whereas female flower being greenish with round heads as shown in Figure 1. Pollen from male Paper Mulberry tree is considered a major source for pollen allergy. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recognized the growing public concern about pollen allergies and initiated pollen monitoring activities. Initially, traditional manual methods were employed to count pollen, which involved collecting air samples and manually examining them under a microscope. However, the need for more accurate and efficient data collection led to the installation of the first pollen count instrument at the PMD headquarters in Sector H-8, Islamabad, in 2003. This instrument allowed for automated pollen counting, providing real-time data on pollen levels in the atmosphere. The data collected from this instrument revealed a significant correlation between allergic rhinitis and the presence of specific allergen trees in the local environment. Additionally, during the season (Mar-April15th) pollen monitoring instruments also installed at high roof building at I-10, F-10, E-8, G-6 and H-8 as shown in figure 2. Islamabad experiences two distinct pollen seasons: a more severe one from March to mid-April, and a less intense one from July to August. The city's climate plays a significant role in these seasonal variations. Monthly mean temperatures gradually increase from February to May, while rainfall patterns can also influence pollen release.A key factor contributing to pollen allergies in Islamabad is the abundance of Broussonetia papyrifera, commonly known as the Paper Mulberry tree. Research has shown that individuals sensitive to this pollen experience allergy symptoms when daily pollen concentrations exceed 200 grains per cubic meter. This threshold typically marks the onset of the pollen season, which usually begins in the fourth week of February or the first week of March for Broussonetia papyrifera in Islamabad. The maximum peak attains every year is about 40,000 grains/m3 in air. The pollen grains concentration continuously increases till the peak of each season, after peak dates (last week of March) pollen concentration starts to decline due to full blooming of flowering. 

A comprehensive survey was conducted among individuals residing in Islamabad and its surrounding areas to assess the prevalence and impact of pollen allergies. The study involved a total of 384 pollen-sensitive subjects. Statistical analysis revealed that a significantly higher percentage (77%) of respondents suffering from pollen allergies were living in Islamabad itself. Among the patients studied, a variety of symptoms were reported, including chest discomfort (14%), sneezing accompanied by a runny nose (58%), and rhinorrhea (runny nose) as a primary symptom (22%). Further analysis indicated a temporal progression of symptoms. At the onset of the pollen season, fewer individuals experienced chest pain and sneezing. However, as the season progressed, patients were more likely to develop other symptoms such as a runny nose, watery and itching eyes. The age distribution of patients ranged from 35 to 60 years, with individuals over 60 years old demonstrating a higher vulnerability to pollen-related health issues. Tragically, fourteen fatalities were reported among the study participants during the peak of the prolonged pollen season, based on patient data and information gathered from their families