Islamabad, In line with the Prime Minister’s directives to combat plastic pollution, Prime Minister’s coordinator on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Romina Khurshid Alam, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts from citizens, organizations, and government entities to address the scourge of plastic. She chaired a meeting at the Ministry of Climate Change to review the measures implemented for Earth Day, which is being observed globally, with a week-long series of activities scheduled in Pakistan under the theme “Planet versus Plastic.”

According to Press Information Department, Alam stressed the importance of clear messaging and increased signage to inform the public about the prohibition of plastic use. To support this initiative, she instructed senior officers to conduct surprise visits to public entertainment venues, such as Margalla Trails and Islamabad Zoo, to ensure compliance with anti-plastic measures.

To encourage alternatives to plastic, visitors to these locations will be required to bring refillable bottles, and over 12,000 cloth bags will be distributed to children to encourage their parents to avoid polythene bags. The PM’s coordinator also directed the enhancement of public awareness campaigns to highlight the environmental threats posed by plastic pollution.

In response to the Prime Minister’s directive, the Environmental Protection Agency has begun manufacturing benches and planters from recycled single-use polythene bags, which will be placed within the ministry and extended to public areas in the near future. This innovative approach demonstrates the government’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability.

Alam’s meeting focused on fostering a collective effort to reduce plastic use and encourage sustainable practices. The Earth Day activities aim to inspire a broader shift toward environmental responsibility and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.