Pakistan to Host High-Level Conference on Plastic Pollution Ahead of World Environment Day
— May 11, 2025
Munir Ahmed, Devcom-Pakistan’s Executive Director, highlighted the urgency of tackling plastic pollution, which contaminates land, rivers, and even human bodies through microplastics. “World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action,”he said.
“With global plastic treaty negotiations ahead, Pakistan must strengthen its policies and public engagement.”
Pakistan generates 3.9 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with 70% mismanaged—dumped, burned, or flushed into waterways. The Indus River carries over 164,000 tonnes of plastic into the Arabian Sea each year, ranking among the world’s most polluted rivers.
The government has introduced the Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (2023) and the “Living Indus Initiative,” aiming for “zero plastic waste” cities. However, weak enforcement and limited public awareness hinder progress. Ahmed emphasized the need for “systemic change, including better waste management and sustainable alternatives.”
The event aligns with this year’s World Environment Day theme, hosted by the Republic of Korea, focusing on ending plastic pollution globally. “By beating plastic pollution, we secure a healthier future,”Ahmed said, urging businesses, policymakers, and citizens to adopt eco-friendly practices.