Earth Day: PM calls for reducing use of plastic, embracing eco-friendly alternatives
Pakistan
Says Pakistan will continue to strive towards building a sustainable future
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Like rest of the world, the International Earth Day is being observed across Pakistan today (Monday).
The theme of the day this year is 'Planet vs Plastics'.
The day is marked to raise awareness about use of plastic, its impacts on the environment, to reduce plastic dependency and make the earth plastic-free.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message on the International Earth Day, appealed to the nation to reduce the use of plastic, embrace recycling and eco-friendly alternatives and advocate for stronger environmental policies at every level of society.
He said: "We have initiated an exhaustive consultative process with the ministries, provincial environment departments, ICT administration, industries and other relevant stakeholders for developing Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations, 2023 as well as restriction on use of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles in federal ministries and divisions."
He said these initiatives underscored government's commitment towards promoting a sustainable circular economy for plastics by reducing waste, consumption, and encouraging reuse, recycling, and material recovery.
The prime minister said though Pakistan was one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, there was little awareness about the risks of climate change that threatened the development, the well-being and economic security of our citizens.
He said the effects of climate change had exacerbated over the years, which put people at an even greater economic and physical risk.
He said the government understood the urgency of taking bold and decisive steps to confront these challenges and build resilience in the face of adversity.
He said Pakistan would continue to strive towards building a sustainable, cleaner and greener future.
