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.SARGODHA: Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 case.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Sargodha announced a brief verdict, sentencing 70 accused from Sargodha. None of the accused, including Ahmad Khan Bhachar, were present in court at the time of the ruling.
Another provincial lawmaker of PTI, Ahmad Chattha, was among the party workers — all handed 10-year jail term.
In the Mianwali riots and vandalism case, the court had previously granted exemption from appearance to 32 accused individuals, including Ahmad Khan Bhachar.
Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted four PTI members, who were previously convicted for attacking Islamabad’s Ramna police station during the May 9 riots.
The acquitted individuals – Mira Khan, Muhammad Akram, Shahzeb, and Sohail Khan – had been handed multiple sentences by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in May this year.
The riots erupted on May 9, 2023 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, leading to violent protests across the country.
The ATC had convicted several PTI supporters under numerous sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, imposing sentences ranging from a few months to 10 years.
The charges included rioting, arson, attempted murder, mischief, and obstructing public servants.
However, a two-member IHC bench comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Khadim Soomro ruled that the prosecution failed to establish the presence of the four accused at the crime scene.
Last month, Imran Khan – the PTI founder
– was acquitted last month by a district and sessions court in two cases related to the May 9 riots.
Judicial Magistrate Umar Shabbir delivered the verdict, which had been previously reserved, on Khan’s acquittal pleas challenging the cases filed against him at the Shehzad Town police station.
The court acquitted the PTI founder due to a lack of evidence.
Lawyers Mirza Asim Baig and Naeem Panjotha had represented the PTI founder in the two cases.
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