Sindh Bans Plastic Bags Across Province from June 2025
Sindh Bans Plastic Bags Province-Wide Amid Environmental Push
KARACHI – The Sindh government has officially enforced a complete ban on the production, sale, and use of plastic bags throughout the province, with the regulation taking effect from June 15, 2025.
A notification issued by the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development confirms that non-degradable, oxo-degradable, black, and recycled plastic bags are now prohibited. Only environmentally friendly alternatives are permitted in the market under the new regulation.
The move is part of a broader push to address environmental damage, with Sindh’s Secretary of Environment warning of a “zero-tolerance policy” going forward. “Polybags are a root cause of environmental destruction,” the secretary emphasized.
The decision, however, has met resistance from local manufacturers. During a hearing at the Sindh High Court, legal representatives for two plastic bag producers argued that stakeholders were not consulted before the abrupt ban. “Due to the sudden imposition, it became impossible to deliver already manufactured consignments,” one of the lawyers told the court.
The petitioners also highlighted that the ban has negatively impacted thousands of workers tied to the plastic bag industry. The court questioned the manufacturers over tax contributions, directing them to disclose how much tax they paid in the previous financial year.
Appearing in court, Director of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Imran Sabir, defended the move. SEPA’s counsel stated that similar bans have already been implemented in regional countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, while Pakistan’s own Prime Minister’s Secretariat has urged provinces to take strict action against plastic pollution.
“This is not just a Sindh issue—it is a national environmental emergency,” the government lawyer stated, noting that the ban currently affects only two of the eight categories of plastic products. He further revealed that only 20% of plastic shopping bags are locally produced.
The Sindh High Court has adjourned the case until July 23, allowing further deliberation on the matter.
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