LAHORE, March 30: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday urged citizens to pledge against plastic use, stressing collective action for environmental protection on the International Day of Zero Waste.
In her message, she called for practical public-level steps to reduce waste and promote a cleaner, safer environment. She emphasized that recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable consumption are essential to preserving natural resources and tackling environmental challenges.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives, the chief minister said the Suthra Punjab Program aims to transform every city into a zero-waste model. She noted that waste sites are being converted into green forests and solar parks, while modern electric vehicles and mechanized systems are being deployed to strengthen waste management.
She warned that unmanaged waste contributes to climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, making urgent action necessary.
Maryam Nawaz further said banning plastic bags can significantly help achieve zero-waste targets, adding that “waste-to-value” projects are underway to convert waste into energy and other useful resources.
She reaffirmed that ensuring a pollution-free environment is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to actively support sustainability efforts.
