News regarding imposition of ban on packaging material have largely affected Plastic Manufacturing Industry. Public’s health is priority of business community, Stopping industrial development through unnecessary bans and regulations should be avoided. An effective and urgent resolution should be adopted through mutual consent of Business Community and Punjab Food Authority.

(May 2, 2018)

President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President AKIA, Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Wednesday said news regarding imposition of ban on Styrofoam packaging by Punjab Food Authority have increased tension across the plastic manufacturers and related sectors.

The veteran business leader while talking to the delegation of Plastic manufacturers and business community said that plastic manufacturing units are concerned about the news of ban on Styrofoam packaging material. More than 100 plastic manufacturing industries are associated with Pakistan Plastic Manufacturers Association alone, which have employed thousands of people. If the suggested ban has been imposed, it will cause unemployment of thousands of those people associated with plastic manufacturing industry and will lead to closure of hundreds of plastic packaging manufacturing units, adversely affecting the national economy.

The former minister said we appreciate the regulations to be implemented considering health of people on priority however introducing legislation without joint consent of stake holders is not an industry friendly approach. Pakistan Plastic Manufacturers Association has sent its suggestions to the Government and FDA which must be considered before implementing / introducing any new law(s) with respect to plastic manufacturing industry.

Mian Zahid Hussain said business community considers health of its people on priority and suggest that the packaging material should be tested through authentic labs and if they found safe for health, then no regulations should be introduced that may cause hurdles in production of such products. The unnecessary bans may cause severe damages to plastic industry as well as use of such products including cafeteria of schools, colleges, universities, restaurants and food chains, etc.

He asked the Federal and Provincial Governments to take this matter into immediate consideration and resolve the matter in accordance to the suggestions of Pakistan Plastic Manufacturers Associations.