Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has urged citizens to take a collective pledge to eliminate the use of plastic, emphasizing shared responsibility for environmental protection on the International Day of Zero Waste.
In her message on Monday, she said practical public-level action is essential to reduce waste, promote recycling and ensure a cleaner and safer environment. She stressed that unmanaged waste contributes to climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, making urgent action necessary.
The CM said that under the Suthra Punjab Program, efforts are underway to transform cities across the province into zero-waste models. She added that waste heaps are being converted into green forests and solar parks, while modern electric vehicles and mechanized systems have been introduced to improve waste management.
She further noted that banning plastic bags would significantly support zero-waste targets, adding that “waste-to-value” initiatives are being implemented to convert waste into energy and other useful resources.
The CM said making the planet pollution-free is a collective responsibility and urged citizens to actively contribute towards a sustainable and clean future.