Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul has said that polythene bags will be banned in Islamabad from August 14, which will be celebrated as a day marking "Plastic Bags Se Azadi."
She was addressing an awareness campaign ceremony on "Plastic Bags Se Azadi" arranged here at the National Highway Authority (NHA) head office on Wednesday.
MNA Sumera Khan, Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Hammad Shamimi, NHA Member (Admin) Captain Mushtaq Ahmed (retd) and senior officers of the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Climate Change, NHA and media persons were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Zartaj Gul said addressing the menace of plastic waste is an integral part of the Prime Minister's "Clean and Green Pakistan" campaign. It is alarming, she said, that 55 billion plastic bags are being used annually in the country that amount to consumption of 275 bags per person per year.
She said that the plastic bags not only mar the environment but they are also a cause of flooding in the cities. For effective implementation of the campaign, she said that there is need of cooperation among government organisations, civil society and media persons. She also commended contribution made by the NHA towards success of Clean and Green Pakistan.
Zartaj Gul also recalled "Apni Shahrah" project under which saplings are planted gradually along motorways and national highways. Environment friendly bags were also distributed among the participants of the ceremony. Later, Gul also met Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Hammad Azhar regarding the green initiative. The bags were distributed among the officials.
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