Strategy Prepared To Phase Out Plastic Bags: Punjab Chief Secretray

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2019 ) :Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar on Sunday visited Mian Plaza Ramazan bazaar in Johar Town, listened to complaints of consumers and ordered the authorities concerned to solve their problems.

Later, talking to the media, he said, "The use of polythene bags for shopping should be minimised as these are causing environmental pollution." He said that a strategy had been prepared to phase out plastic bags and distribution of cloth bags was a `first step' towards this objective.

Yousaf Naseem appealed to people to prefer the use of cloth bags instead of plastic bags.

As per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, it was a priority of the provincial government to overcome environmental pollution and collective efforts were required in this regard, he added.

He said that all government machinery was working day and night to ensure the best arrangements for Ramazan bazaars and provincial ministers and administrative officers were conducting regular visits to review the facilities.

He said that the demand for lemon, tomato and onion was high these day due to subsidy in Ramazan bazaars, and their sufficient supply was being ensured. Similarly, the number of counters for sugar sale have been increased due to rush of buyers.

A proposal to allow sale of up to 2kg of sugar in Ramazan bazaars would be considered in the meeting of cabinet committee on price control, whereas the sale of up to 2kg of the commodity had already been allowed for elderly people, he added.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Saleh Saeed informed the media that a campaign to distribute cloth bags had been started to discourage the use of plastic bags.

The district administration, in collaboration with Sapphire Retail Group, was distributing 10,000 cloth bags in Ramzan bazaars in the city, she added.