World Environment Day: Plastic bags use banned from today, says Marriyum
LAHORE:Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb while speaking at a conference on Wednesday has announced a ban on the usage of plastic bags. The conference was organised by the Department of Environmental Protection on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that plastic contributed to environmental pollution; therefore, it is being banned from today for the health and life of the public. Now, shopping bags less than 75 microns thick and single-use plastics are banned. Deputy Commissioners are responsible for enforcing this ban in their respective districts and violations will result in arrests, fines and penalties.
She said an awareness campaign for the public about the dangers of plastic will also be launched from today. She urged the public to discourage the use of plastic and switch to alternative means. E-buses are being introduced, and e-bikes will be provided on zero-interest loans. Currently, no P&D project is being approved without allocating 1% of the budget for environmental requirements and forestation. She said that from the day Maryam Nawaz’s government came into power, we have started working towards the elimination of smog and pollution. The chief minister is introducing the ‘Solid Waste Management End-to-End Project’ in Punjab for the first time. She said that at present, comprehensive work is being done at the grassroots level on the Multi Sectoral Anti-Smog Action Plan. Important measures are being taken to eliminate all kinds of pollution in transport, agriculture, energy, and other relevant sectors. The Transport Vehicles Ordinance will be amended to include vehicle fitness certification. Environment friendly agricultural machines are being provided to farmers at a 60% subsidy to prevent the burning of crop residue.
CBD vows to protect environment
On World Environment Day, Central Business District (CBD) Punjab reaffirms its dedication to protecting and preserving the environment through a series of impactful initiatives.
This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience,’ resonates strongly with CBD Punjab’s mission. Imran Amin, CEO of CBD Punjab, emphasised the project's commitment, stating, ‘At CBD Punjab, we believe that sustainable development is not just an option but a responsibility. Our initiatives reflect our commitment to environmental stewardship and our dedication to creating a greener, more sustainable future for Pakistan. As we celebrate World Environment Day, we are proud to lead by example and demonstrate that economic growth and environmental preservation can go hand in hand."
