Plastic bags sale goes unchecked despite Punjab Government imposed ban on sale and purchase of these bags in clear defiance of directives by Punjab Government.
Plastic bags are used by fruits and vegetable vendors, meat and chicken shops, tandoors, hotels, departmental stores, cash and carry, fruit vendors and shops. All the wholesale shopping bag markets are selling these bags without any check and its so interesting that law enforcement officials and staff are also found carrying these bags along with daily purchased household items.
It was a long-awaited public demand because these bags are not only hazardous for marine life, cattle lives, choked sewerage lines but it’s a dilemma that standing orders are not followed by the concerned law enforcement authorities despite legislation.
In Pakistan legislation about every business, corporate institutions and almost every business and commodity has been made and laws have also been chalked out but lack of implementation and slackness on the part of all those concerned is the main issue.
In depth analytic legislation and its implementation in the true letter and spirit will only bear fruit and bring about positive changes in society.
Pakistanis don’t take these civic issues seriously as every fruit or vegetable seller soon after closing his shop will put all his litter in a bag and throw it in the main sewerage line despite emptying in litter boxes placed in almost every nook and corner.
Scores of gutter lines are also choked and the whole area has to bear foul smell and sewerage water creating a number of problems including growth of colonies of mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches posing a serious threat to public.
Plastic bags usage ban was imposed on several occasions in the past but due to the lack of implementation on the part of enforcement staff has become a joke.
Punjab Government should take serious note of all such issues, chalk out a plan and enforce it in the true letter and spirit despite coming under any type of political or social pressure to bring ease to the life of already troubled citizens bringing a sigh of relief in their lives.
