Pakistani laborers sort through empty bottles at a plastic recycling factory in Hyderabad, Pakistan, April 30, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has emphasized the urgent need to combat plastic pollution under the global theme "solutions to plastic pollution," in marking World Environment Day.

The prime minister emphasized the importance of empowering local communities, supporting recycling initiatives, and promoting a circular economy that minimizes plastic waste, according to the statement

Sharif said Pakistan recognizes the urgent need for action as it is one of the top 10 countries in the world for plastic pollution with an estimated 70 percent of plastic waste being improperly disposed of, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Monday.

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The prime minister acknowledged that Pakistan has actively participated in crucial international and national-level discussions to develop a comprehensive and legally binding instrument aimed at ending plastic pollution, with a target date set for 2024, the statement said.

The Pakistani government recognizes the significance of ensuring inclusivity and equity within the agreement, underlining the need for the treaty to prioritize that no one is left behind, it added.

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The prime minister emphasized the importance of empowering local communities, supporting recycling initiatives, and promoting a circular economy that minimizes plastic waste, according to the statement.