Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the “Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Bill, 2026” and the “Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2025” on Private Members’ Day. Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who chaired the House, referred ‘The Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (Amendment) Bill, 2025’, ‘The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025’ (Sections 292, 293, and 294, PPC), and others passed by the Senate to the concerned standing committees of the House for further deliberation. The “Polio Eradication and Rehabilitation Bill, 2026” was also introduced in the House. The lower house of Parliament passed the “Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2025” and the “Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Bill, 2026” by rejecting all amendments moved by opposition members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Naeema Kishwar Khan, and Alia Kamran. According to the statement of objects and reasons of the “Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2025”, “Child abuse, in all its forms—physical, sexual, emotional abuse, and neglect—remains one of the most pressing societal issues in Pakistan, directly impacting the most vulnerable members of society. The judicial process in such cases often suffers from delays, complex procedures, and a lack of specialized support, resulting in further harm to child victims. The trauma caused by prolonged legal proceedings, coupled with the fear of intimidation or re-victimization, undermines the effectiveness of the justice system and the overall well-being of the child. This Bill seeks to address these challenges by introducing a specialized framework for the swift and effective handling of child abuse cases.” According to the statement of objects and reasons of the “ICT (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Bill, 2026”, “The purpose of this Bill is to prohibit the use of plastic covers for all books sold within the ICT. This legislative measure is a critical step toward addressing the growing burden of plastic waste, particularly single-use plastics, which pose a serious and escalating threat to Pakistan’s environment, public health, and waste management infrastructure. Pakistan generates an estimated 3.9 million tons of plastic waste annually. A significant portion of this waste, often consisting of thin films of non-recyclable material, ends up in landfills, water bodies, or informal dumping sites. This widespread pollution contributes to soil degradation, water contamination, and severe harm to wildlife. Among the countless sources of this single-use plastic waste, plastic book covers are especially problematic. They are widely used, particularly on school textbooks and children’s books, under the mistaken belief that they offer long-term protection. In reality, these covers are typically discarded shortly after purchase or use, contributing a substantial amount of unnecessary plastic waste. Schools and educational institutions are major contributors to this problem, given the routine practice of wrapping books in plastic. This Bill, therefore, seeks to tackle this specific issue with a clear and targeted approach. Its primary objectives are to eliminate the use of plastic covers on books sold within the Islamabad Capital Territory; promote the adoption of sustainable alternatives, such as paper, cloth, or biodegradable materials, which offer the same protective benefits without the environmental cost; raise public awareness; and engage publishers, distributors, and retailers in the transition to eco-friendlier practices.” Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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