LAHORE: Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that a crackdown on factories producing illegal plastic products and bags will begin on June 5, 2024.
The senior minister stated that the Punjab government is taking significant steps as part of the ‘No to Plastic’ campaign. In a statement issued here on Sunday, the senior minister said this action is being taken under the special directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
A campaign has been launched to protect the public from deadly diseases caused by plastic usage. Maryam said that starting June 5, preparations will be made to ensure strict implementation of a mechanism to ban the manufacture, production, distribution, and sale of illegal plastic bags.
Plastic usage causes cancer and other deadly diseases. The usage of plastic is increasing environmental pollution and causing serious health issues, she said, adding a crackdown would be launched on the factories manufacturing illegal plastic products from June 5.
Earlier, numerous notices have been sent in this regard, she said and maintained that from June 5, hotels, restaurants and other eateries will be strictly prohibited from serving food in plastic bags to the customers.
A complete crackdown will be launched on the owners found involved in violating this prohibition and legal action will be taken against the eateries owners and heavy fines will also be imposed, Maryam warned.
Marriyum Aurangzeb apprised that according to the law, the use of polythene bags of less than 75 microns and single-use plastic utensils has been completely banned. An awareness campaign on the topic of “Plastic is death” will be launched for the general public on non-usage of plastic. Public service messages will go viral through social media. Written messages will be pasted in shopping malls, offices, bus stands, parks, transports vehicles, Daewoo, metro buses and public places with regard to plastic ban, the minister said.
She stated that instead of plastic bags usage, the production, sale and use of cotton bags or alternative sources will be promoted. Plastic causes death and we all have to work in unison to avoid its toxic and hazardous effects, she said.
Minister requested the media to contribute its valuable part for promoting awareness campaign that “plastic is death”. People should remember while buying plastic bags that they were landing themselves and others in big trouble, Maryam concluded.
