ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday claimed that Pakistan was intensifying its efforts to promote sustainability and enhance waste management through the development of a circular economy policy.

According to a statement, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam emphasised the significance of the initiative at an event `Advancing circular economy: Pakistan-Türkiye partnership for sustainability.

She highlighted Pakistan`s progress in tackling plastic pollution, including the successful implementation of a ban on single-use plastics and polythene bags.

`Reducing plastic bag usage from 80 per cent to 58 per cent is a major achievement. However, enforcement challenges remain, necessitating consumer education and viable alternatives,` she stated.

Pakistan generated approximately 49.6 million tonnes of solid waste annually that was increasing by over 2.4 per cent each year. The country`s limited waste management infrastructure has led to environmental degradation, underscoring the urgency of adopting circular economy principles reduce, reuse, and recycle to mitigate these challenges.

Ms Alam acknowledged the broader environmental issues Pakistan faced such as pollution and resource depletion, and stressed the importance of transitioning to a sustainable model.

`We are committed to advancing this agenda through innovative policies, improved recycling systems, and enhanced waste management practices.

A notable achievement in Pakistan`s sustainability journey was its leadership in South Asia as the first country to launch the World Economic Forum`s Global Plastic Action Partnership. The initiative`s pilot project in Islamabad has effectively banned plastic bags, preventing the production of 600,000 kilogrammes of plastic annually.

Ms Alam underscored the crucial role of the private sector in reducing inorganic waste and ensuring safe industrial waste disposal. She also called for an integrated national data management system involving provincial and district governments to strengthen waste management efforts.

Pakistan`s collaboration with Turkiye is another key focus with Ms Alam praising Turkiye`s zero waste initiative led by Emine Erdogan, which has significantly boosted recycling rates and reduced waste. `Turkiye`s expertise and advanced waste treatment technology will greatly enhance Pakistan`s capacity to address its waste management challenges,` she remarked.

Despite ongoing hurdles, Ms Alam reaffirmed Pakistan`s commitment to global environmental frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, and expressed gratitude for Turkiye`s support.

`Your efforts serve as an inspiring model for Pakistan as we navigate our path toward sustainability,` she said.