ISLAMABAD, October 19, 2026: The Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP) has urged the Islamabad administration to clarify the legal status of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles following reports of confusion among retailers over restrictions on single-use plastics in the federal capital.
In a statement, CAP Islamabad and North Pakistan Chapter Chairman Riaz Asher Siddiqui expressed concern that some shopkeepers had stopped stocking bottled water, juices and soft drinks as a precaution, creating unnecessary difficulties for consumers.
Referring to recent reports in local media about a deadlock between the government and multinational companies over PET bottles, Siddiqui said uncertainty regarding the implementation of plastic regulations had created apprehension among retailers.
He maintained that under the Islamabad Capital Territory Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations, 2023, the prohibition applies to six categories of plastic products, including polythene bags, straws, crockery, cutlery, food-service ware and stirrers, and does not extend to PET beverage bottles.
He further pointed out that Schedule II of the regulations provides for 50 percent recycled content from July 1, 2028, reflecting a regulatory approach aimed at promoting recycling rather than imposing an outright ban on PET bottles.
Siddiqui also referred to a clarification reportedly issued by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) Director Dr. Zaigham Abbas, who stated that PET bottles were not banned and that the position had been communicated to the Islamabad Capital Territory administration.
The CAP chairman emphasized that the association fully supported government initiatives to make Islamabad environmentally friendly, including efforts undertaken in connection with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. He reaffirmed CAP’s support for strict enforcement against prohibited plastic products and the promotion of recycling under the Polluter Pays Principle.
However, he stressed that enforcement measures should be based on clear legal provisions and should not create unnecessary difficulties for consumers or businesses dealing in products that are not prohibited.
Siddiqui said CAP had formally requested Chief Commissioner Islamabad Lt. (Retd.) Sohail Ashraf to issue a clear directive to the relevant authorities and field staff to remove uncertainty regarding PET bottles.
The association has also sought a meeting with the Chief Commissioner to discuss the matter and requested that no coercive action be taken against retailers until the proposed expert-level meeting next week clarifies the regulatory position.
“Our request is for clarification, not confrontation,” Siddiqui said, adding that the association’s objective was to protect consumer interests while supporting the administration’s vision of a cleaner and environmentally responsible Islamabad.
He expressed hope that the Islamabad administration would address the confusion promptly to ensure that retailers could operate without unnecessary apprehension and consumers continued to have access to essential bottled beverages.
