Islamabad to Become Plastic-Free by Year-End, Minister Announces Ban

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has pledged to make Islamabad plastic-free by December 31, 2023, as part of a broader initiative to combat environmental pollution in the capital.

Chaudhry announced that the government will implement a ban on all types of plastic bags and products, including thick and thin plastic bags, shopping bags with handles, and plastic water bottles. He emphasized that measures are being put in place to ensure the effective removal of these items from the city by the deadline.

The minister highlighted that a significant portion of plastic bags entering Pakistan is imported from Iran, where they are produced as petroleum by-products and sold at low prices. These products are often auctioned by customs authorities and distributed throughout the country. In response, the government has instructed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to cease the auctioning of environmentally harmful plastic products.

Despite a previous ban on single-use plastic bags that was enforced on August 14, 2019, their usage persists among cart pushers and traders in smaller markets across residential areas. The government aims to strengthen enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the upcoming ban.