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: International Finance Corporation (IFC) Managing Director and Executive Vice President Makhtar Diop has praised Pakistan’s productive engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and successful ongoing economic reforms during his visit to the country.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the IFC chief discussed the corporation’s ongoing and pipeline portfolio in Pakistan as head of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) private sector investment arm.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, and senior officers of the ministries also attended the meeting.
Diop highlighted the need for increased private sector investments to improve the road and power sector infrastructure, especially transmission lines, airport services, wheat storage infrastructure including silos to enhance the private sector’s role in facilitating exports.
In order to have a healthy population for sustained economic growth, the need of private investment in water, health and sanitation — with desired social safeguards was also highlighted at the meeting.
He shared that government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for the private sector operations in Pakistan, under the leadership of the prime minister, has increased investors’ confidence. He assured the prime minister of IFC’s continued support to the private sector in Pakistan duly aligned with the government’s priorities.
The prime minister appreciated the WBG’s recently launched new decade-long Country Partnership Framework (CPF) (2026-2035) with its unprecedented commitment of US$40 billion.
It would include sovereign lending of US$20 billion by the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRD).
The IFC would mobilise another US$20 billion to foster private sector investments in Pakistan.
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