NA approves law banning plastic covers for books in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has approved legislation banning the use and sale of plastic covers on books in the federal capital, with fines for violations, according to an official bill text.

The National Assembly passed the “Islamabad Capital Territory (Ban on Plastic Book Covers) Act 2026”, which prohibits any seller in Islamabad from selling or distributing books wrapped in plastic covers.

Under the law, first-time violators will face fines of up to Rs50,000, while repeat offences can attract penalties of up to Rs100,000, the bill stated.

The legislation aims to discourage the growing practice of covering school and educational books in plastic, according to the text of the bill.

It empowers authorised officials of the Islamabad district administration to inspect premises, confiscate prohibited material and impose fines on the spot.

However, the bill provides exemptions for biodegradable materials, hardback protective covers and rare books requiring preservation.

The bill had already been approved by the Senate before its passage in the National Assembly.

The bill was introduced in the lower house by Pakistan People’s Party lawmaker Syed Naveed Qamar.