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: Security forces and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have unearthed one of the largest networks of terrorists of outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in port city and LEAs arrested 17 terrorists from the Karachi.
A large number of law enforces in league with security forces took part in the complicated mission and successfully arrested key terrorist commanders in the operation.
TTP terrorists were planning to stage ‘terrorism’ in Karachi and all were wanted men in target killing and extortion crimes.
The terrorists of TTP were planning terrorist activities in Karachi, but the intelligence agencies took timely action and foiled their ambitions and arrested them from Karachi.
In the operation of the security forces, 17 terrorists including the main terrorist commander were arrested.
These terrorists were organized as seminar students from Afghanistan under the auspices of the TTP leadership and involved in sectarian, ethnic, target killing of politicians and attacks on law enforcement agencies in Karachi.
Earlier, JUI-F supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Maulvi Abdul Kabir, discussed the ties between the two countries.
Rehman called on Afghanistan’s deputy prime minister in Kabul.
Earlier, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Samaa TV that they invited Maulana Fazlur Rehman to visit the “Islamic Emirate”, adding that the JUI-F chief will be apprised of the interim Afghan government’s position on Pakistan.
The spokesman further claimed the interim Afghan government and the people were not against Pakistan. He added that Kabul will present its case and that of the Afghan people before the Maulana.
“We have never been against Pakistan and its people,” Zabihullah Mujahid said. The visit was held against the backdrop of increased attacks by TTP on Pakistani soil.
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