KARACHI – The government of Sindh has decided to impose a ban on the use and sale of all kinds of plastic bags within the limits of Karachi.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab confirmed the decision and highlighted that the usage of plastic bags leads to blockages in sewerage lines and stormwater drains, causing issues of flooding during rains.
The lawmaker was of the opinion that despite spending billions of rupees annually on the cleaning of drains, plastic bags clog the drain making the situation worse during the monsoon season.
“In light of these issues, it has been decided as a matter of principle that necessary legislation will be enacted at the provincial level to enforce a ban on the usage of plastic bags in Karachi, similar to Islamabad’s model,” he was quoted as saying by Express Tribune.
Wahab elaborated that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and other civic bodies will take all necessary measures to protect Karachi from environmental pollution and other issues while fulfilling their responsibilities.
It is to be noted that plastic bags pose significant environmental hazards due to their non-biodegradable nature. When disposed of improperly, they contribute to pollution, harming wildlife and marine ecosystems. Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose, clogging waterways, soil, and oceans. Animals often mistake them for food, leading to ingestion and potential death. Additionally, their production consumes fossil fuels and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.
Pakistan’s federal capital, Islamabad has already banned the use of single-use plastic bags from August 2021 though there are issues in the implementation of the ban. Environmentalists believe that imposing a ban on plastic bags is a welcome development but focus should also be made on the implementation of the ban.