The meeting was attended by SAPM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam along with senior officers of PM Office, Ministries of Commerce, Finance, Maritime Affairs, Board of Investment and FBR.
Prime Minister was apprised that around 30 Million tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is generated annually in Pakistan. Plastic waste accounts for 10-14% of the total waste and it is expected to double by year 2050. It was informed that only 30% of 3.9 Million tons (1.3 Million tons) of plastic waste generated in 2020 in Pakistan was recycled, whereas 70% of it (Approx 2.6 Million tons) was mismanaged. Moreover, Pakistan imported 35,651 Metric tons plastic worth Rs. 2.4 Billion in FY 2019-20 in four categories including Poly Ethylene (PE), Poly Propylene (PP), Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), and Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET).
While emphasizing on the “Clean & Green Pakistan” initiative, the Prime Minister stated that environmental protection is the top most priority of the government.
The Prime Minister also directed the authorities concerned to formulate a holistic plan to reduce reliance on imported plastic. He said that Chinese policy of banning import of waste material could serve as a guide to introduce robust policy measures for minimizing reliance on imported plastic waste and effective recycling and utilization of locally produced waste.
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