Balochistan Bans Plastic Bags to Tackle Waste Crisis

In August 2025, the government of Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, announced a ban on plastic bags in an effort to address the region's growing waste crisis. According to Sarfaraz Bugti, Balochistan's chief minister, the decision came after a meeting with the waste management division of Quetta, the provincial capital and largest city, where officials reported that 1,000 tons of garbage are collected daily.

This move follows a similar ban implemented earlier this year in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. Pakistan has long struggled with the problem of plastic bag waste, with a 2019 report estimating the country used over 112 billion single-use plastic bags annually, much of which ended up polluting the Arabian Sea and the Indus River.

Plastic bag bans have become more common globally as countries seek to reduce plastic pollution. These bans have proven effective, with estimates showing they can eliminate up to 300 single-use bags per person per year. In the U.S., only nine states have implemented such bans so far, but they have already resulted in significant reductions in plastic bag usage and related carbon emissions.

As Balochistan takes this important step, it joins a growing number of regions and countries working to address the environmental impact of plastic waste. By reducing reliance on single-use plastics, these efforts aim to protect the planet and promote more sustainable practices.