Pakistan has become 128th country to put a ban on plastic bags in the federal capital territory from August 14th, 2019. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sindh has also announced a ban on plastic bags in Karachi. Ministry of Climate Change is also planning to take other provinces on board to put a ban on it. Plastic bags not only affect marine life, birds, animals but also affects human health. It chokes drains and do not decompose for years. Anyone seen using plastic bag in Islamabad will face a penalty of Rs5,000. A vendor using a plastic bag will face a fine of Rs10,000. The industry will face fines upto Rs50,000 to Rs1 million, if it does not comply with the regulations.
Panelists:
Ms Zartaj Gul Wazir, State Minister for Climate Change, Government of Pakistan
Mr. Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad
Prof. Usman Chaudhry, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Ms Maryam Shabbir, Environmentalist Sustainable Development Policy Institute