Crackdown on plastic shopping bags soon, says CM

PESHAWAR: Formally launching the ‘clean and green Pakistan’, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday announced to launch a crackdown against plastic shopping bags in the province.

“The provincial government will launch a crackdown against plastic shopping bags during the ongoing week,” he told a gathering while launching campaign of the Clean and Green Pakistan drive.

The event was organized by Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) and Peshawar Zalmi Foundation, said a handout.

The chief minister appealed to citizens, local businessmen and trader community to cooperate with the government and start utilising biodegradable bags, already available in the market, to contribute own share in the beautification of the province.

The WSSP in collaboration with the Zalmi Foundation, also launched the Youth Ambassador Programme. It is aimed at encouraging youth to keep homes and streets clean. Interested people can become members of the programme by filling out a registration form available on the WSSP website.

The chief minister lauded the efforts undertaken by the WSSP for implementing the Clean and Green Pakistan initiative.

WSSP Chief Executive Officer Zafar Ali Shah informed the chief minister that 60,000 illegal water connections had been identified in Peshawar which would be brought under revenue net adding that WSSP has recovered Rs60 million in just two and a half months.