ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP): National Assembly Tuesday unanimously adopted to ban use of plastic shopping bags and to bring in use the bio-degradable shopping bags.

Moved by MNA Riaz Fatyana, the resolution demanded of the government to ban plastic shopping bags for being harmful for the environment and human health.

When the opinion was sought from the Minister for Environment, he did not oppose the resolution.

In his brief statement, Fatyana said, plastic shopping bags hamper plants nourishment, emit harmful gases when burnt and are lethal for children and may cause death.

He said black plastic shopping bags are even more lethal for having tendency to cause cancer and other health hazards.

He said the plastic bags should be replaced with cloth bags or the paper bags for the better health of people and to protect environment.

The Chair put the resolution to the House that was adopted unanimously. Later, MNA Khawaja Sohail Mansoor said, imposing ban on use of plastic bags was not solution to the problem.

He said plastic shopping bag industry is the third top revenue generating industry and putting ban would affect employment of lot of people.

He referred to a study conducted by the Karachi City District Government and said, in Sindh only 30 micron plastic bag is allowed which is not harmful.

But, in other provinces, he said, 15 micron plastic bag is used which is harmful. So, the 15 micron plastic bag can be converted into 30 micron instead of banning the production. But, till the time his recommendations came, the resolution was already adopted.