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 Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan seized 2077 kilogram narcotics worth 3.75 billion rupees in international market, arrested 40 drug peddlers including five ladies and impounded 13 vehicles in 24 counter-narcotic strikes conducted across the country. The seized drugs included 773.86 kg hashish, 72.35 kg heroin, 357.8 kg opium, 864 kg bhang, 2.79 kg Methamphetamine (Ice), 50 gram cocaine and 6.4 kg suspected chemical.
According to details, the ANF Quetta conducted an intelligence based operation at general area of Killi Nowrak Suleman Khel, tehsil Gulistan district Qilla Abdullah and recovered 691 kg hashish from the area. According to preliminary reports, the recovered drugs were hidden for handing over to another narcotics gang.
The ANF Rawalpindi arrested an accused person namely Waheed Asghar Khan, a resident of Attock and recovered 1.050 kg hashish from his personal possession. He was arrested near Govt High School Sheenbagh, Post Office Sarwala, Attock. In another operation, the ANF Rawalpindi intercepted a Suzuki Alto car near Chungi No. 26 Bus Stop, Islamabad and recovered 15 kg heroin from secret cavities of the said vehicle. Three persons onboard namely Pervaiz, resident of district Khyber of KP, Hanzala Bacha and Syed Muhammad Ali, both residents of Peshawar were arrested during the operation.
In third operation, the ANF Rawalpindi intercepted a Bedford Truck near Haji Shah Bus Stop, GT Road, Attock and recovered 28 kg opium from secret cavities of the said vehicle. A person onboard namely Gul Muhammad, resident of Swabi was arrested during the operation. In fourth operation, the ANF Rawalpindi arrested five family members including 2 ladies namely Abid Manzoor, Amroz Bibi, Kiran Abid, Muhammad Faizan and Ehsan Farooq, all residents of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir at Islamabad International Airport. During search of their luggage, the ANF Airport team found 17 kg heroin from their personal possession and travelling bags. All were travelling to Birmingham through flight No. PK-791.
The ANF Lahore intercepted a Nisan Truck near Sher Shah Toll Plaza, Multan and recovered 12 kg hashish from secret cavities of the said vehicle. Two persons onboard namely Sabit Ullah and Tehseen Ullah, both residents of district Khyber were arrested on the spot. In another operation, the ANF Lahore intercepted a Lancer car near Main Motorway Toll Plaza, Faisalabad and recovered 1.7 kg hashish from secret cavities of seized vehicle.
Two persons onboard namely Tasleem & Izzat Ullah, both resident of district Khyber were arrested during the operation. In third operation, the ANF Lahore raided at Adnan Motors Work Shop near General Bus Stand, DG Khan, intercepted a Shahzor Dala and recovered 864 kg crushed bhang from secret cavities of the seized vehicle.
Four persons onboard identified as Muhammad Yar, Javed Iqbal both residents of Sargodha and Muhammad Dilshad, Ali Raza both resident of DG Khan were arrested during the operation. In fourth operation, the ANF Lahore arrested an accused namely Muhammad Saleem resident of DG Khan at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and recovered 1.8 kg Methamphetamine (Ice) which was concealed in his bag.
He was travelling to Dammam (KSA) through flight No GF-650158. In fifth operation, the ANF Lahore arrested an accused namely Said Mehmood resident of Gujrat at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and recovered 1.360 kg heroin which was concealed in his bag. He was travelling to Madina (KSA) through Flight No PK-747.
In sixth operation, the ANF Lahore raided at General Bus Stand, Mianwali, arrested three accused namely Bashir Ahmed, Kosar Parveen and Manzooran Bibi all resident of Sargodha and recovered 24 kg hashish from their personal possession. In seventh operation, the ANF Lahore intercepted a motorcycle near Beacon House School System, Lal Chowk, Askari Bypass Road, Multan and recovered 2 kg hashish from personal possession of the two accused persons identified as Muhammad Rizwan and Ahmed Hassan both residents of Multan.
The ANF Peshawar in collaboration with FC (North) intercepted a FX car near Bagyarhi CP Check Post and recovered 4.8 kg Hashish which was tactfully concealed in front doors of the said vehicle. A person onboard namely Ghalib resident of District Khyber was arrested during the operation. In another operation, the ANF Peshawar intercepted a Toyota Corolla GLI car near Motorway Toll Plaza, Peshawar and recovered 12 kg heroin, beneath the rear seat of the said vehicle. Resultantly an accused namely Saddam Shah, resident of Kohat was arrested on the spot.
In third operation, the ANF Peshawar in collaboration with FC Khyber Rifles, intercepted a Suzuki Mehran car near Ali Masjid, District Khyber and recovered 5 kg heroin, which was kept below driving seat of the said vehicle. A person onboard namely Iqrar Khan, resident of Khyber Agency was arrested. In fourth operation, the ANF Peshawar arrested an accused person namely Janaan, a resident of district Khyber and recovered 995 gram heroin from his personal possession. He was arrested from a passenger van near Motorway Toll Plaza, Peshawar. In fifth operation, the ANF Peshawar intercepted a Toyota corolla car near Shin Qamar Check Post. During search of the vehicle 8.4 kg hashish was recovered from secret cavities of the said vehicle. Resultantly a person on board namely Hazrat Umar, resident of district Khyber was arrested during the operation.
In sixth operation, the ANF Peshawar in collaboration with FC Khyber Rifles intercepted Toyota corolla car near Bagyari Check Post, Jamrud, district Khyber and recovered 20.910 kg hashish and 6.4 kg suspected chemical from trunk of the said vehicle. A person onboard namely Taj Wali, resident of district Khyber was arrested during the operation. In seventh operation, the ANF Peshawar in collaboration with FC Khyber Rifles intercepted a Suzuki Mehran car near Bagyari Check Post, Jamrud, district Khyber and recovered 4 kg heroin which was placed below driving seat of the said vehicle. Resultantly an accused namely Saif Ullah resident of District Khyber was arrested on the spot.
In eighth operation, the ANF Peshawar arrested two accused persons namely Sirbuland and Hikman Khan both resident of district Khyber and recovered 6 kg hashish from their personal possession. Both were arrested near Bagyari Check Post, District Khyber. In ninth operation, the ANF Peshawar in collaboration with FC (North) intercepted a Toyota Corolla car near Bagyari Check Post, district Khyber and recovered 9 kg heroin which was tactfully concealed in rear doors of the seized vehicle. Resultantly an accused namely Zakir Ullah resident of District Khyber was arrested on the spot.
The ANF Karachi intercepted Netherland bound 5x containers at QICT Karachi and recovered 8 kg heroin and 12x cartons of Ketamine from 1x container. In follow-up of case ANF arrested an accused namely Zakria Saeed resident of Lahore. In another operation, the ANF Karachi conducted a raid near Shell Petrol Pump, Bilal Chowrangi, Karachi and recovered 2 kg hashish and 50 gram cocaine from personal possession of the two arrested accused namely Muhammad Naseer resident of Karachi and a lady accomplice namely Naseem Bibi resident of Kasoor.
In third operation, the ANF Karachi intercepted a container at South Asia Port Terminal, Karachi and recovered 329 kg opium which was concealed in 658x tins of grease. In follow-up of case ANF Karachi arrested an accused namely Rizwan Ullah resident of South Waziristan. In fourth operation, the ANF Karachi arrested an accused person namely Muhammad Tayyab Ullah resident of Charsadda at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi and recovered 990 gram Methamphetamine (Ice) which was concealed in his trolley bag. He was boarding for Jeddah through flight No. PA-170.
The recovered narcotics were confiscated and The ANF after registering separate cases at concerned ANF Police Stations under CNS Act 1997 has started investigations. (INP)
