Daily Times

Chairperson, Senate Standing on Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman on World Plastic Bag Free Day said that the country was consuming 55 billion plastic bags annually at an expected increase by 15 percent in its usage every year.

The Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change Senator in her message on the International Plastic Bag Free Day urged the nation to review the environmental impact of plastic bags and its indiscriminate use in Pakistan.

Senator Rehman said Pakistan is facing a serious problem of plastic pollution as single-use plastic bags caused water stagnation, littering and damage to human, aquatic and wildlife. “Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose and their accumulation poses serious risks to the environment and health. All our small and big cities face major challenges in plastic waste management,” she said.

She underscored that several attempts were made to stop the use of plastic bags, however, due to lack of alternatives, slow implementation and lack of public awareness, no success was achieved in stopping the use of plastic items.

“Every citizen needs to reduce reliance on plastic items including bags, support eco-friendly alternatives and strictly follow anti-plastic policies,” Senator Sherry Rehman requested.

Punjab Govt

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s administration continues its crackdown on plastic bags with resolution towards a greener future, over a span of 25 days, authorities have seized a staggering 10,919 kilograms of plastic bags and conducted raids at 24,523 locations across Lahore. On the occasion of World Plastic Bag Free Day, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb highlighted significant milestones achieved in the campaign. Notably, 5 challans have been referred to the Magistrate Environment Court, underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws. During the raids, officials retrieved 1,002 kilograms of plastic bags from various shops in Lahore, intensifying efforts on a Sunday morning with thorough inspections at food and beverage establishments.

Aurangzeb emphasized that curbing illegal plastic bag usage is pivotal in combating smog and air pollution. Encouraging widespread participation, she urged citizens to actively support initiatives against plastic bags both individually and collectively.