Plastic bag usage, sale to be banned in Karachi

The provincial government has decided to impose a ban on the use and sale of all kinds of plastic bags within the limits of Karachi, Express News reported.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab stated that the usage of plastic bags leads to blockages in sewerage lines and stormwater drains, causing issues of flooding during rains. Despite spending billions of rupees annually on the cleaning of drains, they still get clogged due to plastic bags, exacerbating problems during the monsoon season, he added.

"In light of these issues, it has been decided as a matter of principle that necessary legislation will be enacted at the provincial level to enforce a ban on the usage of plastic bags in Karachi, similar to Islamabad's model," Wahab said.

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He further said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and other civic bodies will take all necessary measures to protect Karachi from environmental pollution and other issues while fulfilling their responsibilities, and in this regard, a joint strategy will be devised for timely implementation.

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.