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: Justice Sarfraz Dogar and the three acting chief justices of the high courts were sworn in as permanent chief justices of respective High Courts.
Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar’s oath-taking ceremony was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidential Palace) in Islamabad, where President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to the newly appointed chief justice. The event was attended by a large number of senior lawyers.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were also present at the ceremony.
Earlier, the Chief Justices of the Sindh and Peshawar High Courts also took oath of office.
On the other hand, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori administered the oath to Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, while Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, administered the oath to Justice SM Atiq Shah, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court.
It is worth mentioning that on July 1st, during a meeting of the Judicial Commission chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the appointments of Justice Sarfraz Dogar as Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, Justice Junaid Ghaffar as Chief Justice of Sindh High Court, Justice Atiq Shah as Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, and Justice Rozi Khan as Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court were approved.
President Asif Ali Zardari had officially declared Justice Sarfraz Dogar as the senior most judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), and made permanent the transfer of Justice Sarfraz Dogar along with two other judges on June 29.
This decision followed the Supreme Court’s earlier directive to refer the matter of high court judges’ seniority to the President. Acting on that, President Zardari issued a formal notification announcing the updated seniority list of IHC judges.
As per the list, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani is ranked second in seniority, while Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb is placed third.
The notification also confirmed that the transfers of Justice Khadim Hussain Tunio and Justice Muhammad Asif have been made permanent. According to the new seniority list, Justice Tunio now ranks 9th and Justice Asif 11th among IHC judges.
It is worth noting that five judges of the IHC had recently filed an intra-court appeal against the Supreme Court’s June 19 verdict, which upheld the constitutionality and legality of transferring three judges to the IHC and dismissed the petitions filed by those five judges.
Read more: President Zardari Appoints Chief Justices Of Four High Courts
