LAHORE, RAWALPINDI, GUJRANWALA, MULTAN, FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN, SIALKOT — September 2025 — In a major concerted effort to advance sustainable plastic governance, ISP Environmental Solutions, in close collaboration with the Strategic Planning & Implementation Unit (SP&IU) of the Environment Protection Department, Government of Punjab, successfully conducted a series of post-consultative sessions across Punjab under the Punjab Green Development Program (PGDP). These key engagements were held in Rawalpindi (September 9), Gujranwala (September 11), Lahore (September 11), Multan (September 18), Faisalabad (September 22) and Sialkot (September 29).

The primary focus of the sessions was the “Implementation of Plastic Management Strategy and Single-Use Plastic Regulation.” Each event served as a critical platform, uniting diverse stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to deliberate on cross-sectoral strategies for circular innovation and policy implementation.

Key Themes and Expert Contributions

The consultative sessions featured insightful presentations and robust dialogue led by key experts, ensuring a comprehensive technical and policy-level discussion:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Ms. Saira Alamgir consistently provided an in-depth overview of EPR models, emphasizing their relevance for shared accountability in waste management, registration processes, and compliance mechanisms. Dr. Zillay Mariam also contributed to the EPR discussion in the Lahore session, highlighting its practical implementation.
• Eco-Labeling and Certification: Ms. Nida Zafar shed light on eco-labeling guidelines and certification processes, underscoring their critical role in promoting sustainable market practices and market transparency across all four cities. Dr. Nusrat offered detailed insights on this topic during the Lahore session.
• Technical Dialogue: Experts like Dr. Zillay Mariam (in Rawalpindi and Lahore) and Mr. Muhammad Gulfam Abid (in Gujranwala) actively engaged with participants, addressing technical queries and facilitating meaningful dialogue among stakeholders.

A Unified Commitment to a Greener Punjab

Held at the respective Chambers of Commerce & Industry, the sessions concluded with a collective and strong commitment to strengthen partnerships and continue collaborative efforts to advance a circular and environmentally responsible future. Participants shared valuable perspectives and recommendations to enhance policy implementation and industry engagement, all aiming toward a cleaner, greener, and more plastic-responsible Punjab.

The sessions garnered extensive media attention, marking a significant achievement in ISP’s ongoing policy outreach efforts. The session and its outcomes were featured across 12 leading newspapers and news channels in Multan. This wide-reaching coverage reflects the growing recognition of efforts led under the PGDP to strengthen plastic governance, implement single-use plastic regulations, and promote sustainable innovation in Punjab.

This extensive consultation series is part of the broader Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), supported by the World Bank, with implementation support from UNOPS. The successful completion of these events marks a significant step toward transforming plastic waste management in the region.