KARACHI, Sept 15: The Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, besides enforcement of laws, called for launching an effective awareness campaign to protect people from the harmful affects of polythene bags.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting at the Governor’s House here on Thursday, which reviewed measures to control the ill-effects of polythene bags and eliminate their unwanted spread in the province.

The governor directed to start an organized mass awareness campaign to educate people about the hazards of polythene bags, particularly to the health and the environment.

He stressed the need of organizing awareness programmes at school and college levels and directed to convince people and shopkeepers to adopt alternative means for packing and carriage of goods.

Dr Ibad asked the officials concerned to finalize the working for the awareness campaign and the proposed Ordinance banning polythene bags at the earliest and ensured progress in this regard within a given time-frame.

He said that with the participation of all stakeholders and the cooperation of people would help to curb the widespread use of these polythene bags.

The governor had directed to prepare a comprehensive report pertaining to the problems being caused by the widespread use of these bags including health issues, and particularly hindrance in proper functioning of the sewerage system.

In the meeting, Principal Secretary Saleem Khan and Secretary Environment Shamsul Haq Memon presented a brief review of the situation.

The KWSB Managing Director, Brig Iftikhar, briefed the meeting on the problems created by used polythene bags, when they choke the sewerage lines.

The meeting decided to discourage the use of polythene bags and their gradual phasing out.—APP/PPI