Report: Hurish shah FT :
ISLAMABAD — Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia, along with Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha, Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan and former President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, called on Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and raised concerns over the arrest of traders over the use of plastic bags.
The ICCI delegation urged the minister to stop such arrests and adopt an awareness-based approach to implementation of the policy. Talal Chaudhry heard the concerns and directed the concerned authorities to stop arrests, assuring that an awareness campaign would be launched to educate traders and the public about the regulations.
It was also agreed that plastic bags would be allowed for essential perishable items, including milk, curd and meat, in accordance with government policy.
The ICCI leadership appreciated the minister’s positive response and stressed that environmental measures should be implemented through consultation, awareness and facilitation without causing unnecessary hardship to traders.
The delegation also included ICCI Executive Members Umer Hussain Malik and Shoaib Zafar, and Islamabad Industrial Association President Mohammad Omais Khattak.
