Karachi : The Department of Mass Communication of the University of Karachi and Sindh Environmental Protection Agency jointly organized an awareness seminar in connection with the World Environment Day at the Jinnah Auditorium of the KU’s Dr A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering on Wednesday.
The provincial secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development Agha Shahnawaz Khan informed the audience that the Sindh government is going to ban the use of plastic bags from June 15, 2025 and the provincial government is set to launch a crackdown on plastic bags in major cities. He shared that plastic poses severe threats to our ecosystems.
Speaking the seminar entitled ‘reducing plastic pollution’ Shahnawaz Khan reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to banning plastic all over the province. He announced that from June 15, a crackdown on plastic bags would begin in major cities, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, and Larkana and others. He emphasized that extensive consultation with stakeholders had been conducted to ensure effective implementation.
He mentioned that plastic pollution is a global environmental challenge. He observed that each year, 11 million tons of plastic waste pollutes our land, water, and food supply. We must adopt a circular economy and encourage eco-friendly alternatives. He called for collective efforts to eliminate plastic bags and protect future generations from environmental hazards.
The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi emphasized that climate change is a pressing global issue, particularly for Pakistan. Rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and unpredictable rainfall patterns have led to a severe decline in water availability.
He warned that the rapid increase in temperature is not just climate change—it is an alarming warning. “If we don’t take decisive action today, we will be left with nothing but regret tomorrow”.
He explained why single-use plastic bags should be avoided. The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi noted that 98 percent of plastic bags are non-biodegradable and non-recyclable, posing serious environmental risks. He stressed the importance of eliminating access to plastic bags at stores and markets, promoting awareness about their harmful effects, and ensuring the availability of alternatives.
“Climate change is a global issue and particularly in the context of Pakistan. Climate change is an urgent issue to be addressed by the policy makers, academia, social workers, and students.”
The Director General SEPA Waqar Hussain Phulpoto mentioned that a complete ban on plastic bags would take effect from June 15. The first phase provided industries time to develop alternatives, and now the policy is being implemented across the province.
He mentioned that public awareness campaigns, community engagement, and legal enforcement will ensure compliance. He highlighted that SEPA is actively promoting the “No Plastic Carrier Bags” policy and urged all sectors to collaborate in making Sindh cleaner, greener, and more sustainable. He mentioned that SEPA is committed to eliminating plastic waste from the province.
Dr Phulpoto also advocated for cloth bags as an alternative to plastic shopping bags, recognizing their environmental and health benefits. He stressed that industrial monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations are SEPA’s top priorities, and the agency is consistently conducting awareness programs in educational institutions to promote eco-friendly practices.
The KU Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science Professor Dr Samina Saeed emphasized that environmental responsibility extends beyond science and technology—it is a social duty. She underscored the importance of educating communities, empowering local groups, and fostering a culture of care that persists across generations.
She observed that this issue is not limited to individuals or any one community; it is a global problem that affects every society. Intellectuals from every field—whether environmental science, social sciences, researchers, or scientists—should come together to address this challenge and find effective ways to tackle it here in Pakistan. We all must work together to find and apply better methods to protect our environment.
“World Environment Day serves as a reminder that protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility, no matter the field we work in. It calls on us to take action and commit to a future where progress and sustainability go hand in hand.”
The former chairperson of KU’s Department of Geography Professor Dr Jamil Hasan Kazmi pointed out the challenges of implementing large-scale environmental policies, especially in Karachi. He noted that environmental concerns extend beyond plastic bags, highlighting the introduction of decorative trees and invasive plant species without research.
The KU’s Chairperson of the Department of Mass Communication Professor Dr Asmat Ara highlighted the continuous rise in temperatures across Pakistan, particularly in Sindh and Karachi, as a direct result of climate change. She stressed the urgent need for immediate action.
She detailed various eco-friendly initiatives at the University, including a WWF-supported campaign that has planted 4,000 trees on campus. She believes that the comprehensive crackdown on plastic bags marks a decisive step towards environmental sustainability, urging citizens, businesses, and policymakers to embrace a cleaner, healthier future.
A faculty member of the KU’s MCD Samina Qureshi highlighted that the seminar focused on raising awareness about the harmful impact of plastic bags and the need for sustainable alternatives. She said that plastic shopping bags are not only degrading the environment but also destroying the sewerage system.
