Ban on Plastic Bags: SEPA Continues Enforcement Across Sindh for Third Day, Appeals for Public Support

Ban on Plastic Bags: SEPA Continues Enforcement Across Sindh for Third Day, Appeals for Public Support

Karachi: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) continued enforcing the province-wide plastic bag ban for the third day today. This campaign aims to protect the environment from plastic pollution, which stays in nature for a very long time.

SEPA teams visited supermarkets in the centre of Karachi and nearby areas today, including areas like Sirajani Town, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Gulshan-e-Maimar, Safoora Goth, Saudabad, Malir, Babar Market, Jail Chowrangi, Bahadurabad, Tariq Road, Shaheed-e-Millat, DHA, and Clifton. They also served notices to plastic bag factories in Metroville, SITE Area, and Baldia Town. SEPA field staff stayed busy enforcing the ban in all districts of Sindh where SEPA has offices. These teams include deputy directors, assistant directors, supervisors, inspectors, and field staff.

SEPA teams strictly warned shopkeepers and traders and put up copies of the ban order in markets. They clearly said:
- Plastic bags that do not break down (or only break down partially) in nature are completely banned.
- Plastic bags that fully break down are allowed.
Still, cloth bags are being promoted as the best alternative. Shopkeepers who have received notices can no longer claim they "didn’t know" about the ban.

SEPA Director General Waqar Hussain Phulpoto said about the campaign:
"Right now, we are just asking those who violate the ban to stop."
He added that the ban can only work with cooperation from both businesses and the public.
Phulpoto warned: "If people keep violating the ban after being told to stop, we will take legal action."
But he stressed that SEPA’s first goal is to enforce the ban through understanding.

DG SEPA expressed satisfaction that large stores and supermarkets have started following the ban. He promised that shops in middle-class and lower-income areas will also be made to comply.
Appealing to the public, Phulpoto said:
"People are sensible—they won’t harm the environment for 100 years just for 5 minutes of convenience."
He confirmed SEPA will keep running awareness campaigns for the public.