By Sardar Khan Niazi

In Pakistan, the plastic crisis has evolved into an almost invisible but highly threatening issue: microplastic particles, smaller than 5 millimeters, are now present in our rivers, food, air, and even our bodies. Initially perceived as a distant danger, microplastics are becoming more prevalent, finding their way into bottled water,
freshwater fish, city soil, and the air in urban areas. However, there is currently no robust policy to monitor, control, or minimize this escalating threat. Both scientific concerns and increasing research on microplastics stand ignored in national and provincial environmental agendas, creating a significant blind spot regarding this urgent public health issue. Microplastics are the remnants of larger plastic waste– such as bottles, bags, and packaging–as well as intentionally produced particles found in cosmetic products, industrial abrasives, and synthetic materials. These particles do not decompose naturally and can remain in the environment for decades, have been detected in human blood, lungs, placentas, and feces worldwide, and Pakistan is no exception. Independent researchers have demonstrated the extent of microplastic contamination in seafood, and drinking water. A 2024 study revealed alarming levels of contamination in freshwater fish. This issue poses real threats to food safety, human health, and environmental integrity, particularly for vulnerable populations who lack access to water filtration systems or alternative protein sources. Although Pakistan has implemented some measures, such as banning plastic bags in certain provinces, these efforts are inconsistent, poorly enforced, and focused primarily on visible litter. Microplastics currently lack a regulatory definition, a monitoring regime, and an obligation for industries to report discharges through wastewater,

emissions, or product manufacturing. This oversight represents a significant policy failure, leaving local governments powerless against a growing contamination crisis. The Pakistan Environmental
Protection Act (PEPA) of 1997 underpins the country’s environmental laws, but it was established in a pre-microplastic era. Additionally, there are no thresholds or testing requirements in the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) to assess microplastic concentrations in water, air, or soil. The absence of laws and
regulations concerning microplastics has serious consequences. Water filtration plants are not equipped to filter microplastics, industrialb lack monitoring for synthetic fiber discharge, and the general population remains unaware of the health risks associated with daily exposure. By neglecting microplastics, Pakistan also jeopardizes its access to international climate and environment financing. Major funds like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) are increasingly prioritizing microplastic pollution,
yet Pakistan’s oversight keeps it from utilizing these resources. Other countries are making strides: the European Union has begun phasing out microplastics in cosmetics and consumer products, the United
States banned microbeads in rinse-off products in 2015. It is time for Pakistan to take action. A National Microplastics Monitoring and Response Program should be established under the Ministry of Climate Change and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), in collaboration with accredited universities. This program would standardize sampling, reporting, and public information sharing, providing a robust evidence base for effective policymaking. Equally urgent is the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility
(EPR) systems that hold manufacturers, importers, and retailers accountable for products that generate microplastics. The textile industry, one of the largest contributors to microfiber pollution, must

face stricter wastewater treatment standards, including mandatory filtration technologies. Updating laws, enforcing standards, and ensuring accountability across various sectors would provide the integrated approach Pakistan needs to tackle this crisis. If Pakistan continues to overlook microplastics, it risks exchanging one plastic
crisis for another, now hidden in every breath and every meal. With 33 million Pakistanis living in flood-prone regions and rising food and water insecurity, ignoring microplastics will only exacerbate
vulnerabilities. The challenge ahead is both scientific and institutional: to identify, regulate, and respond effectively.