Government has accepted that despite ban on plastic bags in Islamabad, they are still in use and the district administration and the ministry concerned are taking strict action against shopkeepers who are violating this ban.
During the meeting of Senate standing committee on Climate change Director General Environment Protection Farzana Altaf said that it is difficult to ban these polythene bags completely unless the citizens themselves take up their social responsibility. She further added that concerned administration clears the markets in the night but as shops open up in the morning, Shopkeepers and citizens starts spreading garbage without taking their social responsibility.
Chairman Capital Development Authority briefed the committee on the sanitation system in Islamabad and about the slum dwellers. It was informed that Islamabad has eight Kachi Abadis, two places are selected for shifting of these Kachi Abadis. He told that a blunder was made while shaping up the master plan of Capital as three and five marlas plots where not included in the master plan. He informed that CDA has completed its homework and work will begin in a few months.
Committee Chairman Senator Sitara Ayaz shows concern over the solid waste disposal of the hospitals. She said that although government had imposed ban over the usage of polythene bags but they are unable to control the disposal of hospital solid waste in a proper way. CDA chairman informed the committee that handling of hospital wastage comes under MCI however CDA supporting the sanitation staff in this regard as well. He said that salaries of their staff have been released.