Sindh bans use of plastic bags across province
Listen to article
The Sindh government has imposed a province-wide ban on plastic bags. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, where amendments to the Sindh Prohibition of Non-Degradable Plastic Products Rules 2024 were approved.
The cabinet noted that environmental protection requires measures to curb pollution and maintain ecological balance. It approved the amended rules to ban the manufacturing, sale, and use of all plastic shopping bags, including non-degradable and oxo-degradable types.
The ban will take effect 60 days after the cabinet's approval. According to the spokesperson for the CM, the ban covers shopping bags and plastic carrier bags. All business and purchasing activities involving plastic bags will now be prohibited.
During the same meeting, the cabinet also approved several financial grants. A grant of Rs200 million was approved for Cadet College Petaro, while Rs16.5 million was allocated for the purchase of buses for Cadet College Karampur.
An amount of Rs20 million was approved for the National Boxing Championship. Additionally, a one-time grant of Rs500 million was sanctioned for the Kidney Centre Karachi, and Rs300 million for the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD).
The cabinet also gave approval to the Sindh Habitual Offenders Monitoring Rules 2025. Under the Sindh Habitual Offenders Monitoring Act 2023, street criminals and repeat offenders will be required to wear tracking bracelets for monitoring purposes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Caution urged on foreign advice
Listen to article Amid Pakistan's heavy reliance on foreign consultants to run its economy, an independent think tank has advised the government to choose a path between a truly home-grown economic model and a foreign lender-driven policy agenda. The Tola Associates policy advice came in the middle of a major shift in national tariff policy, where foreign consultants are advising a complete opening of the economy. However, the concerned economic ministries oppose this due to potential adverse implications for businesses and jobs. Pakistan's economy is currently bipolar, and policymakers must choose between home-grown recipes and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) policy prescriptions, according to the report released on Thursday. The report suggests that home-grown policies should aim to keep policy rates closer to the inflation rate to reduce debt servicing, maintain the currency at its true value, stimulate growth, and reduce the fiscal deficit. In contrast, the IMF's policies focus on monetary tightening, import-led growth, and tariff reduction, which have consequently led to high inflation and suppressed economic growth, the report stated. The government has agreed on a plan to lower import tariffs by almost half over the next five years. In the first year alone, this would result in a Rs200 billion negative impact on revenues. While the IMF has no objection to the steep reduction in import revenues, it is unwilling to allow much-needed relief to all segments of the salaried class. The relief for the salaried class may not even cost Rs100 billion, nearly half the fiscal cost of liberalising the economy — a move that also carries employment risks. The Tola Associates report stressed that next year's economic strategy must prioritise introducing targeted policy measures for industrial development. These include rationalising interest rates for industrial borrowers, reducing electricity tariffs, abolishing export financing schemes on semi-finished and finished goods, and implementing a balanced tariff structure on raw materials. Encouraging import substitution and offering performance-based subsidies — particularly in key sectors such as textiles, leather, and engineering goods - is critical, the report added. However, past experiences suggest that import substitution policies have shown limited results, and the country must shift toward implementing export-focused policies. The report also highlights how efficient crop production could enhance exports by an estimated $2.2 billion. Increasing cotton yields, boosting rice exports, and reducing input costs to return to wheat surplus status were among the key recommendations. Based on its estimates, the report stated that if the current account deficit stays within the government's FY25 target of 0.4% of GDP, the exchange rate should ideally stabilise around Rs272 per US dollar. Including incorporated valuation adjustments for FY25, the rate should not exceed Rs282, it added. However, market fundamentals indicate that the rupee is under pressure, with importers struggling to find adequate dollar liquidity at reasonable rates. Major players like Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pak Arab Refinery Company (PARCO) are being forced to pay higher interbank rates. According to Tola Associates' estimates, Pakistan can achieve a current account surplus of 0.1% of GDP by improving cash crop yields in the next fiscal year. If that surplus is realised, the currency could appreciate by up to Rs23, leading to a 4.6% drop in inflation. This, in turn, would create room to reduce interest rates, cut debt servicing costs, and open up significant fiscal space, the report added. Pakistan can substantially bring down interest rates in the next fiscal year to single digits. A 1% reduction in the policy rate could lower the debt servicing cost by Rs515 billion. Aligning interest rates with inflation could allow for a 4.6% rate cut, saving up to Rs2.4 trillion in interest expenses, according to the report.
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Stitching costs surge ahead of Eid
With Eidul Azha fast approaching, tailors across the country are facing criticism for overcharging customers and refusing new orders amid a surge in demand for festive clothing. Reports suggest that many tailors have significantly increased their stitching ratessome by as much as Rs200 to 500 per suit — citing overwhelming workloads and seasonal pressure. Several shops have even stopped accepting new orders altogether, posting signs declaring "Booking Closed" outside their premises. Tanzeela, a frustrated customer, shared her experience: "I've visited several tailor shops, but none are accepting orders. It feels like they're picking and choosing their customers." She added that the situation has become increasingly stressful for many families, especially those with limited means. Another customer, Sundas, echoed the sentiment, saying, "I had to pay Rs500 extra for a simple shalwar kameez just because it's Eid season. As the sole breadwinner for my family, stitching clothes for four children and myself is a major financial burden." Tailors, however, defend the price hikes. "Our workload doubles during the Eid season," said Ahmed, a local tailor. "We're not trying to fleece anyone. We're working round the clock, and if we don't charge a bit more, we can't maintain the quality or meet deadlines." Despite the justification, many customers are calling on authorities to regulate tailoring rates during peak seasons to prevent exploitation and ensure affordability for all.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pak airspace ban costs Air India Rs8.2b
Pakistan Air Force J-10C fighter jets perform at a rehearsal ahead of Pakistan's national day parade in Islamabad on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP via Getty Images) AAMIR QURESHI As the airspace ban Pakistan slapped on Indian carriers drags on for forty days, the cost for Air India is turning from heavy to near-unsustainable, aviation sources said on Wednesday. The Indian national carrier has already taken a hit of over Rs8.2 billion since the closure began. According to well-placed aviation insiders, Air India is bleeding approximately Rs200 million each day due to longer alternate routes, increased fuel consumption and delays triggered by the airspace detour. In a sign of rising frustration, Air India's Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson has formally written to the Indian government, highlighting the scale of financial damage. In the letter, Wilson reportedly warned that continued restrictions could render airline operations unsustainable if not addressed soon. According to The Economic Times, an internal presentation showed that Air India had, late last year, set a target to become profitable by FY 27. However, the closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian carriers is likely to delay that. "It will still take a little bit more time to achieve what we want to achieve, but it was a five-year project in the beginning," Wilson said in the interview to the Economic Times, referring to the five-year transformation plan 'Vihaan' announced in September 2022. "The closure of Pakistani airspace, which started on April 24, has forced Air India's flights to North America to take detours and stop in Vienna or Copenhagen to refuel, leading to increased expenses," the report noted. "It's not insignificant, but as long as it covers the cost of operation, we will continue to operate," Wilson said. "We don't know the extent to which the bottom line is going to be affected. We will try to minimise the effect." The CEO's concerns are not limited to Air India alone. Other Indian carriers have also reportedly suffered billions of rupees in cumulative losses, though precise estimates remain undisclosed. "This isn't just turbulence, it's a full-blown storm for Indian aviation," a senior aviation official remarked, noting that the 40-day closure has upended flight logistics, increased operational costs, and complicated international schedules for Indian carriers. The airspace restrictions, which came into effect in the wake of heightened diplomatic tensions, have now completed 40 days, with no breakthrough in sight. For airlines forced to circumvent Pakistani airspace, the sky is not only the limit but also a costly detour. As the ban continues, industry experts warn that Indian carriers might soon be compelled to cut routes or hike fares, passing the burden onto passengers, unless diplomatic channels find a way to clear the air.
