No seller will be allowed to sell or distribute books with plastic covers within the limits of Islamabad.
The National Assembly has passed the Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Covers on Books) Act 2026, under which placing plastic covers on books and selling such books has been prohibited.
According to the text of the bill, no seller within Islamabad will be allowed to sell or distribute books with plastic covers. A fine of up to Rs. 50,000 will be imposed for the first violation, while in case of repeated violation, the fine may increase up to Rs. 100,000.
The main objective of the bill is to eliminate the trend of covering books with plastic in educational institutions and schools and to promote eco-friendly measures.
Under the law, authorized officers of the Islamabad administration will have the power to conduct on-site inspections, confiscate material, and impose fines. However, biodegradable materials, hardback covers, and protective covers for rare books will be exempt from this ban.
The bill had already been passed by the Senate of Pakistan and was presented in the National Assembly by Syed Naveed Qamar.
The move is seen as a good omen in connection of eliminating pollution and is expected to bring positive changes. The authorities plan to expand it to other areas as well with gradual steps in the near future.
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