Hyderabad:
The use and sale of plastic shopping bags continues uninditized across Hyderabad despite a provincial prohibition imposed by the SINDH government from June 15. Prohibited plastic bags are still open in grocery stores, general stores and franchise outlets.
The Sindh government has announced a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and use of all types of plastic shopping bags, including non-degradable, oxo-degradable, black-colored and recycled bags in an attempt to reduce environmental pollution and drainage blocks. A formal review has also directed strict enforcement and litigation against offenders. However, even after more than two weeks, implementation on Earth remains ineffective.
Hyderabad DC Zain-Ul abide Memon, issued directives on June 19 to all assistant commissioners in the district of fully cooperated with Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to ensure enforcement of the ban.
Further Deputy Commissioner-II Saba Israr also sent a letter to the director’s information called for a public attention campaign that advised citizens to avoid the use of plastic bags and use cloth or paper bags instead.
SEPA regional director Hyderabad, Imran Ali Abbasi, has claimed that sales of plastic bag at wholesale level have stopped and local authorities have been instructed to limit their use in retail stores. He added that SEPA teams are actively visiting markets, issuing messages to store owners and distributing pamphlets to spread attention.
Reports show that Hyderabad has 107 wholesale plastic bag stores, including 65 at the Tower Market, nine in Qasimabad, six in Faqir Ka Pir, 10 in Latifabad, two in Preetabad and 15 in Tando Marmelade.
This is not the first time such a ban is introduced. In March 2018, the Sindh government enabled section 144 to prohibit the manufacture, sale and use of plastic bags. Later, in November 2018, a phase ban was approved by the provincial cabinet. The latest ban, which came into force on June 15, 2025, marks the third attempt, yet meaningful implementation is still evasive.
