ISLAMABAD: From March 1, users of single-use polythene bags at any level in the federal capital would be fined, the Ministry of Climate Change warned on Friday.

“Anyone found using selling or manufacturing them will face a fine,” said Joint Secretary Syed Mujtaba Hussain of the ministry, who is leading the implementation of the ban on polythene bags.

Speaking at a public awareness rally attended by students and academia at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), he said from next month there would be a strict check on the use, sale and manufacturing of the single-use plastic bags.

“Those found using, selling and manufacturing plastic bags would be liable to fines at the initial stage. In case of violation, he said, an individual would be fined Rs5,000, a manufacturer Rs100,000 and a shopkeeper Rs10, 000.

The ban is a part of the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan for Clean Green Pakistan.

Says govt planning drastic measures to eliminate this environmental hazard

“Unless people show responsibility towards environment protection, all efforts aimed at tackling environmental degradation will be in vain,” said Mr Hussain.

He said widespread use of polythene bags had deepened the country’s burden of environmental degradation, worsening the state of the public health.

As plastic bags are non-biodegradable, they take years to decompose.

They contribute to a lot of waste which keeps collecting over the years. Plastic takes thousands of years to break down and decompose. It remains in the land which contributes to the rising problem of land pollution, he said.

It also leads to water pollution. “When people throw away the bags carelessly on roads, in drains and rivers, they enter the water bodies. They are carried away by winds and sometimes dumped into water deliberately. Plastic also endangers the aquatic life.”

Now, the government is planning to take drastic measures toward eliminating this public eyesore and environmental hazard, he said, adding: “To motivate people to obey the law against use, sale and manufacturing of the single-use plastic bags, colourful cloth tote bags have been also introduced and promoted through social media, accompanied by catchy slogans and images of trash heaps on fire and birds caught in plastic bags.”

The official said: “We do not want to bring change regarding use of polythene bags through force. Instead, we believe that our slight change in habits will do wonders for future generations as a part of achieving sustainable development goals.”

Chairman of the department of environmental sciences at the IIUI, Dr Mohammad Irfan Khan, spoke on the role of students and teachers.

“You play an important role and have the power to minimise plastic pollution,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2021