Plastic ban comes into force only on paper in Sindh

Murtaza Wahab urges people to observe ban on plastic bags to preserve environment

KARACHI:

Like many other laws that lack implementation, the ban on plastic shopping bags came into force on June 15 in Sindh, but there is no implementation.

Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab on Friday said that environmentalists agree that plastic bags are a significant cause of environmental pollution.

"Citizens should discourage the use of plastic bags," he said reminding that the ban on plastic bags has been in place since June 15. "I want to ask the citizens to support the law enforcement agencies and KMC in this regard," the administrator said in a press release from his office today.

Wahab asked the citizens, shopkeepers, traders and manufacturers to play their role in ensuring the ban and cooperate fully with all stakeholders, district administration, government agencies and KMC to get rid of plastic bags.

Last month, Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab had approved a resolution regarding complete ban on polythene bags in Karachi.

Also read: Plastic bags to be banned from June 15

Under the decision, the manufacture, sale and use of polythene bags will be completely banned in the city to offset the losses caused by the use of polythene bags.

As per draft of the resolution, the use of polythene bags has increased in the city areas to a dangerous extent. Plastic shoppers and polythene bags are unsparingly and invariably used by shops even when they sell petty items.

Plastic is a non-perishable commodity and throwing away used plastic bags not only increases garbage in the city but also leads to air pollution when burned. Similarly, these bags cause sewerage lines to become clogged, which can lead to drainage problems.

Sewage water also stagnates due to bags piled up on the sidewalks and roads, causing severe inconvenience to the residents. Every year, before the rains, it is observed that the city's rain drains and nullahs are filled with plastic shoppers. Due to excessive use of plastic bags, the city begins to map out the flood situation even in times of moderate rainfall.