Without community-level engagement, private sector responsibility, and consistent enforcement, the plastic crisis will continue to grow, threatening ecosystems, livelihoods, and public health
By Sadaf Sundas Riaz
Plastic pollution is eroding key sectors of Pakistan’s economy. At Head Sidhnai, a major irrigation headworks in District Khanewal, plastic waste regularly clogs distributary canals and fish channels. Local irrigation officials report frequent maintenance costs to clear polythene bags, wrappers, and discarded bottles. “Plastic waste interferes with our head regulators and fish hatcheries,” said an irrigation engineer at the site.
Farmers downstream also face reduced water flows due to blockages caused by accumulated plastic waste. In Fort Monroe, Soon Valley, and parts of Cholistan, unregulated tourism has led to littering in ecologically sensitive areas. Local tour operators and hotel owners in Fort Monroe report that plastic waste on trails, picnic sites, and water bodies affects both aesthetics and visitor satisfaction.
While plastic is cheap and durable, its long-term costs are overwhelming. In Punjab’s Khanewal district, farmers complain of blocked irrigation channels due to plastic waste. “We have no waste pickup. We either burn it or let it pile up,” said Shabbir Ahmed, a cotton grower in Jahanian, a city within the district. Burning creates toxic air pollution, but villagers lack viable alternatives.
Pakistan’s rural communities are unintentionally becoming dumping grounds for urban plastic. In Southern Punjab, herders near Lodhran reported livestock losses due to plastic ingestion. “We found pieces of plastic in the stomach of our dead goat,” one herder explained. Farmers also mentioned soil degradation and reduced crop yields from plastic contamination.
In several Pakistani cities, household waste is rarely sorted before disposal, often causing plastic waste to end up in open areas or burned.
Based on field observations and stakeholder interviews, the following interventions are critical: strict enforcement of existing plastic bans, with penalties on manufacturers and wholesalers, subsidies and support for biodegradable alternatives; formalisation of the informal recycling sector, with training and safety equipment; and mass awareness campaigns, especially targeting school children and market vendors should be initiated. At the same time, localised waste management systems need to be strengthened at the union council level.
Addressing plastic pollution is no longer optional, it is essential for Pakistan’s sustainable growth. While legislation and policys exist, they remain disconnected from field realities. Without community-level engagement, private sector responsibility, and consistent enforcement, the plastic crisis will continue to grow, threatening ecosystems, livelihoods, and public health.