National Assembly bans use of plastic covers on books in Islamabad 

The National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday passed Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Bill, 2026, which placed a ban on covering books with a plastic cover in Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The bill, which took effect immediately, stated that the person violating the ban for the first time would be fined Rs50,000.

It defined a book as any printed material, consisting of over two pages, which might be for any purpose: educational, professional, entertainment or any other or was meant for sale.

The bill defined a plastic cover as a plastic sheet or a paper, which had been used for the first time; transparent or non-transparent, which could be used to cover books, and might be partially or wholly made of plastic.

The legislation defines the word ‘sale’ as the provision of books to any person; either in lieu of amount or otherwise, temporarily or permanently, and the buyer could be any person, a businessman, publisher, distributor, company, or any legal organization dealing in books either online or in a market.

The bill lays down that no person will neither sell any book within the limits of the federal capital nor will present it for sale or distribution, which is covered in plastic cover, and in case he violates, he will be deemed a criminal under the Act.

Reporter: Rozeena Ali