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.KARACHI: More than eleven people have lost their lives in rain and urban flood-related incidents as torrential downpours battered the Karachi, the provincial Metropolis, besides heavy destruction of infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall followed by urban flood paralyzed life and brought the Karachiites to a standstill and sending the district administration on its toes to step up relief efforts.
Torrential monsoon rains swept through the city, flooding streets, paralyzing traffic and plunging entire neighborhoods into darkness as power feeders tripped across the city.
From Surjani Town and Gulshan-i-Iqbal to Malir and Shahrah-i-Faisal, the downpour submerged roads and residential areas, forcing residents to wade through waist-deep water. The relentless showers left major thoroughfares clogged, homes inundated and civic infrastructure struggling to cope, while authorities declared a rain emergency and warned of more heavy rainfall in the days ahead.
By Tuesday afternoon, dark clouds gathered over the city before releasing heavy downpours in Surjani Town, Federal B Area, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Qayyumabad, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Malir, Shahrah-i-Faisal, Nazimabad and New Karachi. Streets, underpasses and neighbourhoods were quickly inundated.
In Gulshan-i-Hadeed, a continuous hour of rain submerged streets and forced floodwater into homes, leaving residents scrambling to move valuables to safety. Major intersections, including Hassan Square, Nipa Chowrangi, Jail Chowrangi, Liaquatabad No.10, Karsaz, Korangi and the Expressway, were submerged, causing traffic gridlock across the city.
Tragedy struck as the city’s already battered infrastructure gave way under the force of the rains. At least 11 people lost their lives in wall collapse incidents across different neighborhoods.
In Gulistan-i-Jauhar’s Block 12, a house wall crumbled, killing four family members on the spot and injuring a child. The deceased included a four-year-old girl, Maryam, her three-year-old brother Hamza, their 24-year-old mother Samia, and a 28-year-old man yet to be identified. A 10-year-old boy, also injured in the collapse, remained unidentified at the time of reporting. All victims were rushed to hospital by Chhipa ambulance services.
In another incident, an eight-year-old boy, Abdullah, died when a wall collapsed near Aqsa Mosque in Orangi Town’s Sector 11.5. He was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
The torrential showers triggered massive power failures, with more than 600 feeders tripping across Karachi. Supply remained disrupted as restoration work could not begin immediately, owing to submerged substations and underground cable faults.
Among the worst affected were Baldia with 68 feeders down, Bin Qasim with 52, Defence with 50, Gulshan-i-Iqbal with 46, Gulistan-i-Jauhar with 62, Korangi with 59, Orangi with 82, and Society and Surjani with 68 and 57 respectively. Feeder trips were also reported in Liaquatabad, Nazimabad and Uthal in Balochistan.
Neighborhoods including North Karachi, Liaquatabad, PIB Colony, Jamshed Road, Old City Area, Mehmoodabad, Korangi, Landhi and Shah Faisal Colony remained without electricity for hours. The Sindh Secretariat was also affected, where the roof of Barrack No.84 collapsed due to persistent rain, though no casualties were reported.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed all civic, rescue and traffic departments to remain on high alert. He ordered Karachi’s mayor to mobilize machinery and manpower for immediate drainage, while urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy showers.
Shah further instructed traffic police to remain alert at low-lying and busy junctions, advising the public to stay away from power poles and weak infrastructure. The provincial disaster management authority, police and local administrations were told to coordinate closely to minimize risks from flooding.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast three more days of intermittent rains with thunderstorms in Karachi, warning of possible heavy falls in parts of Sindh. Saadi Town received the highest rainfall at 35.8mm by 8am, followed by Gulshan-i-Maymar at 33.3mm, Nazimabad at 26mm, Surjani Town at 7mm and Defence Phase VII at 3mm. The minimum temperature was recorded at 28°C with 85 per cent humidity.
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