KARACHI: The Sindh government on Wednesday imposed a complete ban on manufacture, sale and purchase of non-biodegradable polythene bags (plastic bags) across the province.

The ban was imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code by the Sindh home department with immediate effect and until further orders.

“In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 144 (I) CrPC, the Government of Sindh, do hereby impose a complete ban on manufacture/sale/purchase of non-biodegradable polythene bags/plastic products in the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Sindh with immediate effect till further orders,” reads a notification.

It said the Sindh government was satisfied that it was necessary to take ‘immediate measures’ to avoid environmental pollution (land and water), choking of drains, and the risks to the health of citizens associated with the use of non-biodegradable polythene bags, or plastic products, as the carriers for food or drinkable substances, or for carriage of other materials in contravention of the Sindh Prohibition of Non-degradable Plastic Products (Manufacturing, Sale and Usage) Rules 2014 and Sindh Environmental Protection Act (Sepa) 2014.

The home department asked the officer authorised under the Sindh Prohibition of Non-degradable Plastic Products (Manufacturing, Sale and Usage) Rules 2014 to initiate strict legal action under the said rules; and, in addition to Sepa against the violators of that order.

Besides, the notification said, in pursuance of Section 195(i)(a) of the CrPC the SHO of the police station concerned was authorised to register complaints regarding the issue under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the violators of the government order.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2018