Islamabad Markets Face Closure Amid Plastic Bag Dispute
Traders Action Committee calls for market closures from 2pm to 5pm on October 8, demanding affordable alternatives to plastic shopping bags and an end to the detention of shopkeepers during enforcement operations.
ISLAMABAD, October 8, 2026: The Traders Action Committee Islamabad has announced a three-hour closure of markets across the federal capital on Thursday in protest against the ongoing enforcement of restrictions on plastic shopping bags and the reported detention of shopkeepers during recent operations by the district administration.
According to an official circular dated October 7, signed by Traders Action Committee President Muhammad Ajmal Baloch, traders have been instructed to keep their businesses closed from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and stage peaceful demonstrations outside their respective markets.
The announcement follows a meeting of traders’ representatives in Islamabad’s G-9 sector, where participants unanimously decided to oppose enforcement measures that they say are creating serious difficulties for small businesses and retailers.
Traders Demand Alternatives Before Strict Enforcement
Ajmal Baloch maintained that businesses should not be expected to immediately discontinue conventional shopping bags without affordable, practical and readily available alternatives.
The traders’ leadership argued that plastic bags remain widely used for groceries, food items and other daily necessities, making an immediate transition particularly challenging for smaller retailers.
According to the committee, the government should introduce workable alternatives before implementing strict enforcement measures against shopkeepers.
The association questioned how businesses could continue normal commercial activities without suitable packaging materials, particularly for everyday consumer goods.
Traders Raise Concerns Over Detentions
In its circular, the committee alleged that hundreds of traders had been detained during enforcement operations over the preceding three to four days.
The association expressed serious concern over what it described as excessive administrative pressure and demanded an immediate end to unnecessary detentions and alleged mistreatment of shopkeepers.
The claim regarding the total number of detentions could not be independently verified.
Traders maintained that targeting shopkeepers without addressing the availability and supply of prohibited plastic bags would not provide a sustainable solution to the problem.
Islamabad Administration Continues Plastic-Bag Enforcement
Meanwhile, the Islamabad district administration has continued its campaign against prohibited plastic shopping bags as part of broader efforts to reduce plastic pollution in the federal capital.
Recent administrative operations have included inspections of commercial outlets, confiscation of prohibited polythene bags and action against shopkeepers accused of violating the restrictions.
The administration has also encouraged residents and businesses to switch to reusable cloth bags and other environmentally friendly alternatives.
Authorities maintain that plastic waste contributes to environmental pollution, drainage problems and broader urban sanitation challenges.
The restrictions are supported by the Single-use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations, 2023, which provide a legal framework for controlling specified single-use plastic products in the Islamabad Capital Territory.
Traders Call for Dialogue With Government
The Traders Action Committee maintained that the government’s approach should focus on resolving the underlying problem through consultation rather than relying primarily on enforcement against retailers.
Ajmal Baloch argued that traders could not be expected to operate without appropriate packaging alternatives and called upon authorities to address the concerns of the business community.
The committee also criticised the government’s handling of the situation, claiming that traders were already facing economic pressures and could not afford further disruptions to their businesses.
According to the association, a practical solution requires cooperation between government departments, packaging suppliers and representatives of commercial markets.
Three-Hour Closure Could Affect Islamabad Markets
Under the announced protest programme, traders across Islamabad have been asked to close their shops from 2:00pm until 5:00pm on Thursday, October 8, and participate in demonstrations outside their respective markets.
The planned closure could temporarily affect shopping activities and commercial services in participating markets.
However, the extent of participation by individual markets and business associations remains to be independently confirmed.
The dispute highlights the challenge facing Islamabad’s administration in balancing environmental protection objectives with the operational and financial concerns of the city’s business community.
While authorities remain committed to reducing plastic waste, traders insist that enforcement must be accompanied by affordable alternatives, consultation and practical arrangements that allow commercial activities to continue without unnecessary disruption.
