ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad district administration has launched a major crackdown against the use, sale and supply of polythene bags in the federal capital, reiterating that their use is completely banned in Islamabad.
According to the district administration, enforcement action is being carried out under the 2023 law concerning the prohibition of single-use plastics.
During operations conducted on the previous day, authorities confiscated a total of 313 kilogrammes of polythene bags. As many as 88 shopkeepers were arrested, while nine shops were sealed for violating the ban.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon said the ban aims to reduce environmental pollution and protect the natural environment.
He said plastic bags create long-lasting pollution in soil, waterways and urban areas. Discarded bags can also block drains and contribute to sanitation and waste-management problems.
The Deputy Commissioner urged shopkeepers to stop selling and providing polythene bags and switch to environmentally friendly alternatives.
He also appealed to citizens and traders to cooperate with the district administration in enforcing the ban.
The administration said continued enforcement against single-use plastic bags is part of efforts to promote a cleaner and greener Islamabad and reduce the environmental impacts of plastic waste.
