A groundbreaking initiative in sustainability and social impact has been launched by Rawalpindi Police, which unveiled a petrol filling station constructed entirely from recycled plastic materials. Located at Police Lines Rawalpindi, the innovative retail site will serve a dual purpose, supporting environmental sustainability while generating income for the welfare of police martyrs and officers injured in the line of duty.
The newly inaugurated facility has been developed using 7,700 kilogrammes of plastic waste, equivalent to more than 5.8 million pieces of end-of-life plastic. The waste material was transformed into construction-grade products by Wafi Energy, a Shell licensee in Pakistan, which spearheaded the project in collaboration with Concept Loop, a Wafi Tameer alumni startup specializing in sustainable materials and circular economy solutions.
This project follows the success of a similar eco-friendly initiative in Karachi, where the first such retail station was built using 6,500 kilogrammes of recycled plastic. around 1.3 million plastic pieces, repurposed into durable pavers and concrete blocks. Wafi Energy has also been behind other sustainability-focused projects, including a 730-foot plastic road outside its Karachi head office. That road, made with 2.5 tonnes of waste lubricant bottles, has shown remarkable resilience to heat and rain while contributing positively to the local community.
The Rawalpindi project was inaugurated by Saudi Commercial Attaché Naif A. Alharbi, alongside Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa and City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani. Representatives from Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the Embassy of Saudi Arabia were also in attendance at the ceremony, reflecting the cross-sector collaboration supporting this initiative.
Speaking at the launch, Naif A. Alharbi commended the initiative and praised the commitment to sustainable development in Pakistan, noting the alignment with global efforts toward greener infrastructure.
Zubair Shaikh, CEO of Wafi Energy, emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainability and innovation. “At Wafi Energy, sustainability is not just a commitment, it is a responsibility. With the launch of Pakistan’s second retail site made with recycled plastic, we are demonstrating how innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. By reusing over 5.8 million pieces of plastic waste, this site is more than just a fuel station; it is a symbol of our belief in a cleaner, greener future for Pakistan,” he stated.
CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani highlighted the project’s welfare component, explaining that Punjab Police signed agreements with Wafi Fuel to ensure that proceeds from the retail site directly benefit the families of police martyrs and veterans. He announced that the department has initiated monthly support payments of Rs15,000 for families of police martyrs and Rs10,000 for retired veterans, alongside additional benefits and aid for injured officers.
“This project is dedicated to the martyrs and veterans of the police. It not only honors their service but also ensures continued support for their families,” said Hamdani.
By combining sustainable construction practices with a community-driven purpose, the Rawalpindi police initiative sets a new benchmark for environmental and social innovation in Pakistan. It reflects how recycled materials and smart design can be leveraged to create infrastructure that benefits both people and the planet.
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