Islamabad: Rising tobacco and nicotine use among Pakistan’s youth, especially around educational institutions, emerged as the central concern at a national review session on tobacco control held by the Aurat Foundation in Islamabad.
Participants from Parliament, government departments, health organizations, and civil society warned that easy availability of cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches, and flavored tobacco near schools is creating a growing public health threat. The discussion also pointed to a noticeable increase in tobacco use among women, indicating a shifting trend.
The session called for stronger legislation, faster policy action, and strict enforcement to counter the rapid spread of emerging nicotine products. Speakers emphasized that existing laws remain poorly implemented due to procedural delays, weak monitoring, and limited coordination between federal and provincial bodies.
The need for clear parental awareness, community engagement, and better recognition of new nicotine products was highlighted as an essential part of early prevention. Officials noted that families and schools often remain unaware of modern products marketed to young people.
Technical briefings identified major enforcement gaps and policy loopholes that allow the tobacco industry to expand its reach. Participants noted that companies are increasingly using social media trends, entertainment content, and youth-focused marketing to promote vaping in urban areas.
Government representatives reaffirmed ongoing federal efforts to implement the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002 and to tighten regulations where required. Provincial representatives also announced plans to introduce new resolutions to strengthen tobacco control.
Education sector officials raised alarms over the rise of nicotine products around private institutions and called for tougher regulatory checks. Regulatory authorities stressed the need for a broader social movement to counter tobacco use nationwide.
Closing the event, the Aurat Foundation reiterated its commitment to evidence-based advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term public awareness initiatives aimed at building a healthier, tobacco-free society.ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has challenged the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision to withdraw their “bat” symbol in a review petition filed on Tuesday.
The party seeks a reversal of the ruling and restoration of the Peshawar High Court’s verdict that allowed them to keep the symbol for intra-party elections. The party cites irregularities in the legal proceedings and unfair treatment by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The petition argues that the intra-party elections conducted to choose the party leadership were carried out according to the party’s constitution. It further asserts that the ECP lacks the authority to review internal election matters and should not have interfered with the Peshawar High Court’s earlier decision upholding the “bat” symbol.
The PTI accuses the ECP of “making all possible efforts to exclude them from the general elections” through various means. The petition details incidents where party candidates or their seconders were allegedly “abducted” by people in plain clothes in broad daylight and prevented from submitting nomination papers, suggesting deliberate attempts to hinder their participation.
They demand a “level playing field” from the ECP and urge the court to hold the commission accountable for its actions. Instead of taking action against those responsible, the election commission is going to jail and conducting proceedings against PTI Founder Imran Khan.
They argue that the ECP’s decision to withdraw the symbol violates the fundamental rights of both the party and its voters, citing the right to form political parties and participate in elections enshrined in Pakistan’s constitution.
The petition contends that the ECP exceeded its authority in withdrawing the symbol and said the Supreme Court did not properly evaluate the facts related to the intra-party elections. Withdrawal of election symbols from any political party is a violation of the fundamental rights of voters, the petition stated. It sought annulment of the ECP’s decision to withdraw the election symbol.
The PTI has named all complainants in the High Court case, including the ECP, as parties in its review petition. Senior advocates Hamid Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar represent the party in this legal challenge.
In a major blow to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Supreme Court on January 13 revoked its iconic cricket bat symbol and overturned the Peshawar High Court’s verdict that reinstated it.
The apex court’s ruling stemmed from allegations of irregularities in the PTI’s internal elections held last year. While the Peshawar High Court had dismissed these allegations and restored the bat symbol, the Supreme Court deemed the elections “unconstitutional” and invalidated the symbol.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, while delivering the verdict, mentioned that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had received numerous complaints regarding PTI’s intra-party elections.
Read more: Ten cops martyred, 9 hurt in terror attack on DI Khan police station
