Government to crack down on substandard cosmetics producers

‘We need to take care of our environment because there is no Planet B’

ISLAMABAD: With most people in the country unaware of what is included in their cosmetic products, a junior minister on climate change on Tuesday announced an impending crackdown on the manufacturers of spurious cosmetic products, especially those infusing excessive quantities of hazardous mercury.

This announcement was made by Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul on Tuesday while addressing a seminar at the Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology - National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST-NUCES) on the global climate strike. The seminar had been arranged by FAST-NU Islamabad in collaboration with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration under the Global Climate Strike.

Gul stated that her ministry will request Prime Minister Imran Khan to declare a climate emergency across the country once he returns from the United Nations.

She urged the young students in the audience to stand united and take action to combat pollution and to protect the environment for a healthy future.

The global climate strike was launched to compel developed countries and large scale corporations to control the emission of greenhouse gases from their massive industrial units, the state minister explained, adding that the attitude and desire of the youth are critical to bringing about any change in perception.

While quoting different international news reports, Gul said that it has been reported that around 60 per cent of Pakistanis know nothing about climate change.

PSQCA to launch crackdown against illegal cosmetics

“However, our youth has proven all such claims incorrect by responding to this call in full letter and spirit,” she enthused.

“We need to understand there is no Planet B,” said FAST-NU Assistant Professor Usman Chaudhry.

He added that if humans wish to continue living on Earth, they need to take responsibility for protecting the environment of the planet and not take things offered by nature for granted.

Chaudhry further said that they need to take care of what they have by refusing to use plastic bags and replacing them with reusable cloth bags, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“We can start by taking small steps,” he said.

Islamabad Assistant Commissioner Mehreen Baloch said that Pakistan is the eighth most vulnerable country to climate change.

Describing some of the measures taken by the ICT administration, she said that heavy fines are being imposed on littering while the district administration authority has banned brick kilns from operating inside the territory of the federal capital.

She said that the administration has succeeded in achieving a sufficient decrease in the usage of plastic bags and the ban is being implemented very strictly.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2019.