ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab, has announced a ban on the production, distribution, and trade of plastic starting June 5, citing plastic as a source of cancer and other fatal diseases, according to the Punjab information ministry.
Plastic production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing those of coal-fired power plants worldwide, with the global plastic industry releasing at least 232 million tons of greenhouse gases annually. These emissions contribute significantly to global warming and exacerbate climate change, causing devastating environmental impacts globally.
To combat this environmental pollution, Punjab province is set to ban the production, distribution, and sale of plastic bags. The Punjab information ministry stated that a crackdown on factories producing illegal plastic products will commence on June 5. Additionally, hotels, restaurants, and other food establishments will be prohibited from providing food in plastic bags.
The ministry emphasized that the use of plastics is leading to cancer and other deadly diseases, alongside increasing environmental pollution. Violators of the ban will face strict actions and heavy fines.
Pakistan, which ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, has experienced untimely downpours, deadly floods, heatwaves, and droughts in recent years, which experts attribute to climate change. Recently, the country experienced an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 52 degrees Celsius (126°F) in some areas.
