ISLAMABAD: The government on Saturday marked the International Day of Zero Waste with a strong commitment to sustainable waste management, as Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik and Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal called for nationwide efforts to tackle waste and transition towards a circular economy.

Observed annually on March 30, the International Day of Zero Waste highlights the need for effective waste management and sustainable consumption practices. This year’s theme, ‘Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles’ underscores the pressing need to address the environmental impact of the textile industry, a significant contributor to waste and pollution in Pakistan.

Minister Musadik Malik emphasised that while the textile industry was a pillar of Pakistan’s economy, contributing substantially to GDP and employment, its waste generation required urgent attention. He pointed out that beyond textiles, other waste sectors such as plastics, electronics and food waste also demanded a comprehensive approach.

“Pakistan is committed to tackling these challenges through robust policies,” stated Minister Malik.

“The National Hazardous Waste Management Policy, launched in 2022, provides a framework for the safe disposal and reduction of hazardous waste. Additionally, the Pakistan National Action Roadmap on Plastic Pollution is a crucial step towards a sustainable future,” the minister said.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Climate Change, the minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to transition from a linear to a circular economy, where waste was minimised and resources are utilised efficiently.

He highlighted ongoing initiatives promoting eco-conscious fashion and sustainable packaging, as well as the forthcoming circular economic policy that aims to implement waste reduction strategies across various industries.

“Our efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production),” he said, adding that “these objectives encompass all waste types, including food loss and electronic waste, ensuring a broad-based sustainability agenda”.

The role of the private sector and civil society in achieving zero waste was also underscored.

“Businesses must adopt sustainable production models, while communities should embrace responsible consumption practices,” Musadik Malik said.

He concluded by urging collective action to safeguard the environment for future generations.

Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to a circular economy.

She stressed that tackling waste issues, including plastic pollution and food waste, required a multifaceted approach.

Call for urgent action

Separately on Saturday, Senator Sherry Rehman warned about Pakistan’s escalating plastic and waste crisis, urging immediate action to tackle it.

“This is no longer just an environmental issue. Plastic and untreated waste are choking our cities and rivers, contaminating water sources, damaging agriculture and triggering public health emergencies,” Sherry Rehman, who is also chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, said in a statement.

Ms Rehman cited alarming statistics, highlighting that globally, only 9 per cent of plastic waste was recycled, whereas, in Pakistan, the figure was a mere 1 per cent.

The rest gets accumulated in landfills, waterways and urban drains.

The Indus River, once a lifeline, was now ranked as the world’s second most plastic-polluted river.

Pakistan generates 49.6 million tons of solid waste annually, increasing at a rate of 2.4 per cent per year, yet only 60-70 per cent of it is collected, and a mere 1 per cent of wastewater is treated, she said.

The Rawal Dam alone received nine million gallons of untreated sewage daily, jeopardizing vital water supplies, the statement read.

“This is not about distant ecosystems; it’s about the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the cities we live in,” she stressed. Senator Rehman underscored that the crisis extended beyond the environment - it was a full-blown public health disaster.

According to the World Health Organisation, over five million deaths in Pakistan were linked to waste-related diseases.

Inadequate sanitation in urban areas leads to recurring floods, waterborne illnesses and the resurgence of preventable diseases such as cholera, dengue and polio.

She also raised concerns over Pakistan’s growing dependence on plastic. The country consumes 55 billion plastic bags annually, with usage projected to increase by 15 per cent each year..

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2025