The Punjab government has announced plans to gradually declare Lahore’s major markets plastic-free zones as part of efforts to curb the use of banned plastic bags.
The plan was shared during a visit to Ichhra Market by Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaquat and Director General Environment Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, where they addressed a joint media briefing alongside traders’ representatives.
Dr Sheikh said the government is enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against banned plastic bags across the province, adding that shopping bags below 75 microns remain prohibited.
He said authorities have so far seized more than 400,000 kilogrammes of banned plastic bags across Punjab, including over 100,000kg in Lahore.
He added that during a recent operation in the Mochi Gate area, 1,000kg of banned plastic bags were seized in a single day.