ISLAMABAD, July 12: Parliamentarians' Commission on Human Rights (PCHR) has demanded immediate ban on production and use of plastic bags in the country.

In this regard, a resolution has been submitted with the National Assembly secretariat by PCHR chairman Riaz Fatyana, Ghulam Bibi Bharwana and Saifullah Khan Tiwana, says a press release.

"There are approximately 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in each square-mile of our oceans. It is estimated that plastic kills up to 1 million sea birds, 100,000 mammals and countless fish each year," it said.

The resolution maintained that non-biodegradable plastics could last in environment for up to 1,000 years and landscapes littered with plastic bags are hazardous to wildlife and visually unattractive. What's more, because plastic bags last so long, every year the number of plastic bags littering the environment increases.

Plastic bags are lightweight and moisture-resistant which means they float easily in the air and water, often travelling long distances. It has been estimated that it costs governments, businesses and community groups over $4 million per annum to clean up the littered plastic floating in each square-mile of the oceans.

When oil, gas and coal are used to produce plastic bags, they emit dangerous greenhouse gases. The burning of plastics also creates emissions of toxic gases, dioxin and heavy metals.

Greenhouse gases contribute to world-wide climate change. Scientists predict that such climate change will have its impact on all our lives, especially in the areas of agriculture and health.