Traders in Mingora say no to plastic bags

MINGORA: The traders here on Tuesday announced a complete boycott of plastic bags and staged an awareness walk in the city.

Members of Swat Bar Association, Traders Federation, Swat deputy commissioner and civil society participated in the walk. During the walk, Deputy Commissioner Syed Saqib Raza distributed biodegradable bags among the traders. “We need to use biodegradable bags instead of plastic bags to keep our environment clean and green,” the deputy commissioner said, adding, that the plastic bags were not only a threat to human life but also polluted air and water.

He said it was the duty of every citizen to create awareness among the masses against the plastic bags.“The traders’ federation will play its due role to make it a successful campaign. It is the time to take a decision in the right direction,” said Abdul Rahim, president, Swat Traders Federation.

He asked all the shopkeepers and business community of the city, not to use plastic bags anymore. All the civilized states had banned the use of plastic bags, he added.Swat Bar Association President Hazrat Maaz Advocate told The News that legislators need to come forward with legislation against the plastic bags.” “The parliamentarians need to think and do legislation. The only way to eradicate plastic bags is to declare its use a crime,” he said and added that if the state failed to take drastic steps, the new generation would not forgive them.