KARACHI: The Sindh government on Wednesday introduced a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and purchase of non-biodegradable polythene bags (plastic bags) across the province, according to reports in the local media.
Under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the ban was imposed by the Sindh home department with immediate effect and until further orders.
The notification issued read, “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 144 (I) CrPC, the Government of Sindh, do hereby impose a complete ban on manufacture/sale/purchase of non-biodegradable polythene bags/plastic products in the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Sindh with immediate effect till further orders.”
The notification also said that the in wake of environmental pollution (land and water), choking of drains, and the risks to the health of citizens associated with the use of non-biodegradable polythene bags, or plastic products, as the carriers for food or drinkable substances, or for carriage of other materials in contravention of the Sindh Prohibition of Non-degradable Plastic Products (Manufacturing, Sale and Usage) Rules 2014 and Sindh Environmental Protection Act (Sepa) 2014, it was necessary for the Sindh government to Sindh to take ‘immediate measures.’
The officer authorised under the Sindh Prohibition of Non-degradable Plastic Products (Manufacturing, Sale and Usage) Rules 2014 was ordered to initiate strict legal action under the said rules, in addition to Sepa against the violators of that order.
Besides, the notification said, in pursuance of Section 195(i)(a) of the CrPC the SHO of the police station concerned was authorised to register complaints regarding the issue under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the violators of the government order.