The federal and provincial governments should introduce an alternative before they impose ban on plastic bag
ABSOR: Plastic and polythene bags will be completely banned in the capital city of Islamabad after 14th August. The decision has, after the announcement of the ban, created various problems for the public, as millions of people have become unemployed since a huge amount of plastic bags factories have closed their operations. It is an appreciative step for the protection of the environment but the government has failed to introduce an alternative to plastic bags to be used in shopping. What will happen to the workers and owners of the plastic industry who rely on sales for money? The government has failed to acknowledge this aspect. According to a report, at least 8,000 plastic bag factories are providing direct or indirect employment to millions of people in the country. The report further disclosed that the sector is also among the top five revenue-generating sectors of Pakistan. It is the backbone of small and medium enterprises and cottage industry.
But the ban on plastic and polythene bags can give the country a tough time to generate revenue and millions of people are now the victims of unemployment which, in turn, can increase poverty in the country. It is not too late for the government to take serious notice of the issue. The federal and provincial governments should introduce an alternative before they impose ban on plastic bag. Apart from this they need to take into account the workers that will soon be unemployed and provide an alternative to this by giving them jobs in other related industries. Even though this is a step in the right direction, the government should also be aware of the consequences that follow and help reduce the negative implications.
Bakhtiyar Phullan
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2019.
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