Single-use plastic bags are being banned in Islamabad, Pakistan starting August 14 2019, announced Zartaj Gul Wazir, Minister of State for Climate Change, while addressing a news conference. She explained how, according to a survey, about two million people in Islamabad use three to four bags daily, which is alarming for the environment. “Plastic bags would be banned in the federal capital from August 14 onward,” she said while addressing the ceremony.
Radio Pakistan reported that the Minister of State said the Ministry of Climate Change is on board with district administration and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency in regard to enacting the ban.
The minister said it is certain there will be a complete ban on the use of plastic bags as it has been officially decided and approved upon in the cabinet meeting. She said that a draft policy was shared with the participants of the meeting and suggestions were taken to work on the final draft during its preparation process.
After the 14th of August, the use of polythene bags is strictly prohibited in the capital territory. This entails a permanent halt of its manufacturing, trading, and sale.
Zartaj concluded by presenting an alternative to plastic bags – she urges to use cotton bags instead. She said, “Five thousand cotton bags had been distributed amongst employees of the federal government and more are being procured for distribution in weekly Bazars and other markets free of cost.”
