Islamabad: Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam announced on Tuesday that the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) to prohibit the use of plastic bags in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) had been approved by the Federal Cabinet, a news source reported. The ban will come into effect starting August 14.
The advisor informed the media that the new law had been based on various regulatory models geared towards curbing popular plastic consumption; all of which were currently being implemented across the globe.
He stated that the said legislation would allow the government to impose a fine of PKR 50,000-500,000 on plastic bag manufacturers; PKR 10,000 to 5 million on traders; and PKR 5,000 on every day citizens found using the said non-biodegradable utility. The fines have been kept high so that people recognise the importance of this initiative, he added.
The use of plastics in Pakistan has increased exponentially in the past few decades. According to Malik Amin, they comprise a ‘menace to society’; seeing as they clog drains leading to urban flooding and the spread of a number of diseases. Furthermore, they remain part of the ecosystem for at least a thousand years – being dumped, eventually, into the sea following their use.
As per the advisor, this decision comes in line with the government’s vision is to create a ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’.
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