The National Assembly has enacted a law prohibiting the use and sale of plastic covers on books within Islamabad, introducing fines for those who breach the regulation. The legislation, titled the “Islamabad Capital Territory (Ban on Plastic Book Covers) Act 2026,” forbids any vendor in the federal capital from distributing or selling books wrapped in plastic.
Under this new law, first-time offenders face fines up to Rs50,000, while repeat violations can result in penalties reaching Rs100,000. The measure targets the increasing trend of covering school and educational books with plastic, aiming to reduce environmental harm.
Authorized officials from the Islamabad district administration are granted the authority to inspect business premises, seize prohibited plastic materials, and impose fines immediately on the spot. Notably, the law exempts biodegradable covers, hardback protective cases, and rare books that require special preservation.
In a significant development, the bill had already been approved by the Senate before its passage in the National Assembly. The legislation was introduced in the lower house by Syed Naveed Qamar, a member of the Pakistan People’s Party.
