In a significant step aimed at combating environmental pollution, particularly smog, the Punjab Government has announced a ban on plastic bags throughout the province. The decision was reached during a session on smog eradication chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, where the performance of various departments and stakeholders involved in addressing air pollution was closely evaluated.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the ban on plastic bags would come into effect across Punjab from June 6. She stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding initiatives to eradicate smog.
Additionally, Marriyum Aurangzeb unveiled plans to subsidize the production of solar panels at the local level throughout Punjab, applauding commendable efforts in this regard.
She also revealed that all government buildings would undergo solarization under the solar program.
Emphasizing the role of vehicle emissions in exacerbating smog, the provincial minister underscored the necessity of fitness certificates and annual inspections for all vehicles as part of efforts to effectively tackle air pollution.
This announcement reflects the Punjab Government's dedication to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) has called for its inclusion as a stakeholder in the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA) to enhance its effectiveness as a national body.
PHHSA Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik expressed this demand, highlighting the association's commitment to improving seed quality and combating the harmful activities of the seed mafia, which inflict significant losses on farmers and agricultural production.
Malik emphasized that PHHSA's genuine demand for increased representation in NSDRA underscores the importance of industry involvement in regulatory bodies overseeing seed development.
He noted that counterfeit and substandard seeds circulated by unscrupulous elements within the seed mafia deceive farmers and undermine the integrity of the agricultural sector, leading to substantial economic losses and threatening food security.
Malik called for coordinated efforts with law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to implement stringent measures to identify and prosecute individuals involved in the illicit trade of adulterated seeds. Such decisive action, he argued, is essential to deter potential offenders and protect the livelihoods of farmers reliant on quality seeds for optimal crop yields.
