Plastic ban: People question government
Islamabad officials did not do their home work, residents say
We know there is a ban imposed on plastic bags but we don’t know how to satisfy customers as they persistently demand plastic bags. In order to please the government we cannot offend our old customers.” Bashir | A shopkeeper in Trambri
Residents of Islamabad have termed the ban on plastic bags a blessing but some have complained that the government didn’t do its homework before enforcing the rule.
A number of citizens and shopkeepers while talking to Gulf News yesterday said removing all kinds of polythene bags from shops didn’t serve the purpose of providing relief from plastic. Customers are now concerned about where to put their goods after shopping as shopkeepers haven’t made alternative arrangements such as environmentfriendly bags nor do they get fabric bags from home.
The federal government announced August 14 as “day of independence from plastic” in Islamabad. In some markets, particularly those located in the suburbs, plastic bags are still in use.
“We know there is a ban imposed on plastic bags but we don’t know how to satisfy customers as they persistently demand plastic bags. In order to please the government we cannot offend our old customers,” said Bashir, a shopkeeper in Trambri, a suburban area of Islamabad.
The authorities on the contrary say plastic bags would be removed during the first 10 days (from August 14 to August 24) as this period has been dedicated to a soft campaign.
Once the deadline is over we shall not only impose fines but take other measures, too, including cancellation of licences
and initiation of cases against the violators, said an official of the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad.
Spike in sales
In the federal capital, in weekly markets that are held every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, boys and girls who once sold plastic bags are now selling bags made of fabric. Rehan is one such Afghan refugee boy who earlier used to earn Rs400 (Dh10) to Rs600 after selling shopping bags to customers.
“Now I am earning a lot more because these fabric bags are durable and can be used for many times and customers happy buy them from me,” said Rehan.
Khalid, a vegetable seller in the H-9 Weekly Bazaar of Islamabad, said people were bringing fabric bags to his shop in order to carry their onion and potatoes.
He added that the management had overlooked the use of plastic bags because of the Eid holidays and the real test of their patience will begin from Sunday.
In Islamabad, both the district administration and Ministry of Climate Change have been working to implement the ban.