KARACHI, Feb 2: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Thursday promulgated Sindh Prohibition on Manufacture, Sale and Use of Polythene Bags Ordinance 2006.

The ordinance envisages that no person shall manufacture, sell or use black polythene bags, including the polythene bags below 30 micron thickness and size as may be prescribed or offer any kind of eatable and non-eatable goods in such bags.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of the ordinance, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three months or with fine, which may extend to Rs50,000 or with both.

The ordinance further provides that if a person convicted for an offence punishable under this ordinance is again convicted for such offence, the fine shall extend to Rs100,000 and the term of imprisonment shall extend to six months.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, the offence punishable under this Ordinance shall be bail-able and triable under the provisions of the said Code by a Judicial Magistrate, especially empowered in this behalf under Section 24 of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.

No court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Ordinance except upon a complaint in writing by the Director-General of Provincial Environmental Protection Agency or any other officer of the agency authorized by him.—PPI