The Punjab government plans to convert Lahore’s major markets into plastic-free zones in phases.

The announcement was made during a visit to Ichhra Market by Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaquat and Director General for Environment Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh who addressed a joint media briefing with traders’ associations.

Dr Sheikh said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against banned plastic bags across Punjab. Shopping bags below 75 microns are banned. The official said more than 400,000 kilogrammes of prohibited plastic bags had been seized across Punjab so far, including over 100,000kg in Lahore. He added that authorities had seized 1,000kg of banned plastic bags in a day during an operation in the Mochi Gate area.