News Desk |
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) banned the use of plastic bags at all airports across Pakistan on Friday, a decision implemented as per the policies of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s “Clean and Green Pakistan” campaign.
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has imposed ban on usage of plastic bags at all airports.
Usage of plastic bags at airport restaurants and shops will not be allowed.
Bags made with biodegradable material will have to be used. https://t.co/cJmAlx6cIN pic.twitter.com/R1nskKp5sd
— Pakistan Aviation News 🇵🇰 (@avpak3) July 26, 2019
The orders for a complete ban on the use of plastic bags were ushered in after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reversed the decision of providing plastic wrapping to add an extra layer of protection for baggage and belongings after protests erupted across social media. The directives also apply a ban on all kinds of plastic wrappings, including the use of plastic wrapping on food items and cutlery served to the passengers during the flight.
Sharukh Nusrat, Secretary Aviation has issued orders to the CAA administration to use paper and environmentally friendly bags to avoid the accumulation of plastic waste across airports throughout the country. Moreover, the restaurants and shops erected on the premises of the airport have also been strictly ordered against the consumption of polythene bags.
The Minister said that the PTI-led government is committed to implement a complete ban on the usage of all kinds of non-degradable plastic and polythene bags from the Islamabad Capital Territory.
Earlier this month, the federal cabinet had approved a ban on the use of plastic bags within the boundaries of the federal capital. A Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) to ban plastic bags in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) is scheduled to be formally implemented by 14th August.
A report issued by the Environment Protection Department in 2018, noted that Pakistan uses over 55 billion plastic bags each year, and the use of plastic in general increases by 15% every year. Pakistan ranks amongst the countries with the highest usage of non-degradable plastic, even though the provincial and federal governments have imposed a ban on manufacturing, selling and using non-degradable plastic bags.
Decomposable Handmade Bags
The Minister of State for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul Wazir noted that from 14th August, a ban on manufacturing, selling and purchasing single-use plastic bags will be implemented across the federal capital. She strongly encouraged everyone to stop using plastic bags right away to form a strong habit of leaving the house with compostable bags.
Apprising the media about an eco-friendly alternative at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Zartaj Gul announced, “Our Ministry of Climate Change has provided you an alternative with a decomposable alternative in the shape of handmade bags made with jute, straws and cloth.”
حکومت تنکوں، کپڑے اور جوٹ کے بیگز استعمال میں لانے کی تلقین کر رہی ہے۔
It's time to replace plastic shopping bags with those made up of #decomposable cloth and jute.
Starting from Islamabad, 14th August.#PakBansPlasticBags – this strategy will be ratcheted up over time. pic.twitter.com/zpOTXBX2eW
— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) July 24, 2019
Sharing the results of a survey, Zartaj Gul noted that around two million people in Islamabad use three to four plastic bags a day, which has alarming consequences for the environment. She noted that the Ministry of Climate Change has joined hands with the district administration and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency.
Minister @zartajgulwazir called on Minister of Interior, Ijaz Ahmad Shah and presented reusable fabric bag to him and his office staff to discourage use of plastic bag for plastic bag ban in Islamabad from 14th August.#PlasticBagSeAzadi #SayNoToPlastic pic.twitter.com/gjqnCd8BaY
— Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan (@ClimateChangePK) July 23, 2019
She stated, “This is a wakeup call for the people of Pakistan, if we fail to deal with the effects of climate change by increasing plantation, saving water and curbing plastic waste, as per a recent survey, Pakistan will continue incurring losses worth Rs14 billion due to climate change and internal disaster.”
Read more: Ban on plastic bags across cities in Pakistan
She stressed that Pakistan is increasingly vulnerable against the hazards of climate change, and the Ministry of Climate Change and the PTI-led government is committed to the cause of curbing climate change with a strict and vigilant policy implementation.
Climate Change effects are costing Pakistan approx. 14 Billion USD annually, which is around 5% of our GDP.
Moreover, sustainability imperatives are critical for our future generations. We owe it to them to show responsibility.
I urge civil society to play their part robustly. pic.twitter.com/7ikppfrOds
— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) July 24, 2019
The Minister of State for Climate Change noted that after a meeting of the federal cabinet, an official decision has been announced to implement a complete ban on the usage of plastic bags. She noted that the draft policy has been distributed amongst all the relevant stakeholders, and suggestions are being incorporated to prepare a final draft on the implementation of a rigorous plastic ban.
The Minister said that the PTI-led government is committed to implement a complete ban on the usage of all kinds of non-degradable plastic and polythene bags from the Islamabad Capital Territory. The ban will come into practice by 14th August, and from then on, the manufacturing, selling and usage of plastic bags will be permanently curbed.
Read more: Zartaj Gul formally announces ban on plastic bags in Islamabad
Issuing a warning about the excessive use of mercury in various skin-whitening creams produced by multiple cosmetic brands, Zartaj Gul Wazir noted that an authentic laboratory report has revealed that these skins are extremely hazardous for the skin.
میری وزارت کاسمیٹکس بنانے اور بیچنے والی کمپنیوں کی مصنوعات کی جانچ پڑتال کر رہی ہے کیونکہ پاکستان مینا ماٹا مرکری کنونشن کا حصہ ہے۔
زیادہ تر مصنوعات میں خطرناک حد تک پارہ استعمال کیا جا رہا ہے جو صحت کے لئے انتہائی مضر ہے۔ ان کا گورا چٹا کرنے کا کھیل آپے سے باہر ہو چکا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/lolfAGPy6h
— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) July 23, 2019
She commented, “The excessive use of the compounds and elements present in mercury can be gravely dangerous for the skin and overall health. Whether they are international or local cosmetic creams, they must abandon their practices of selling mercury-rich creams and compelling us to ruin our skin after encouraging a brown-skin complex.”