LAHORE: In compliance with an order of the Lahore High Court, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday directed its all field officers to enforce the ban on polythene bags at all kinds of shops, malls and hotels in the provincial capital.

As per a directive issued by EPA Director General Syed Ashar Abbas, a special task force established to implement the court’s decision had already informed all the department stores, hotels, shopping malls and markets’ representatives to make arrangements to stop the use of polythene/plastic bags within two weeks.

He directed the task force to strictly monitor the entire campaign and ensure implementation of the ban. He also announced to launch a campaign for awareness of the masses against the use of the plastic bags in the future.

Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC had issued the order to ban manufacturing, sale and use of the plastic bags initially in Lahore. On Aug 6, the judge ordered the EPA DG to also extend the ban to districts of Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2020