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: Brigade Police registered on Friday the murder case of a member of Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H), Muhammad Hammadul Islam, 23, son of Irshad Abbasi, who was shot dead early on Friday morning in Lines Area.
Harsh reaction
On Friday, MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed lashed out at the authorities for being unable to control the law and order situation in the port city.
Condemning the murder of his party worker, Islam, the MQM-H chief said that the murder was a failure of the government and institutions claiming to have brought peace to Karachi. “I have been saying for a long time that a deceptive peace has been established in Karachi and terrorists are not only present here, but they also keep showing their presence through such activities,” he said.
Ahmed referred to the December 23 attack on Pak Sarzameen Party’s office, then former MQM-Pakistan MNA Ali Raza Abidi’s murder and now his party worker’s targeted killing, terming them “a deep conspiracy”.
He said that the MQM-H hasn’t touched anyone in the last seven years. “It’s an alarming situation if our workers get targeted even then,” said Ahmed. “Observing the policy of tolerance does not mean that we keep carrying dead bodies of our workers.”
The murder
According to eye witnesses, Islam was sitting with four friends on a ramp outside his house near Army Flats in Lines Area, when two unidentified assailants, wearing red and black helmets, approached them on a motorcycle at 2am on Friday.
The motorcyclists asked each one of them their names at gunpoint. All of them told them their names. When Islam shared his name, one of the motorcyclists shot his foot following which, Islam grabbed his hand. The other motorcyclist then shot Islam multiple times and the two fled the scene.
Islam was shot in the head, face, arms and other parts of the body and died on the spot. The body was shifted to Jinnah Hospital by Edhi Ambulance service.
Residents of the area said that although the Rangers setup was just a few yards away from the site of the incident, no one came out despite audible firing sounds.
The police said that Islam was a member of MQM-H Lines Area unit number 52 and had recently joined Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP). Some time later, he had quit the PSP and joined the MQM-H again. The police found nine bullet shells of a 9mm pistol from the crime scene.
Islam brother, Ansar, said that Islam was unmarried and the youngest of five siblings. He was working as a contractual employee at the Karachi Development Authority (KDA).
Third in a week
This was the third act of violence targeting a political worker affiliated with one or another faction of what was originally the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
On December 23, an attack on the PSP’s office left two workers dead and as many injured. Two days later, former MQM MNA Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead outside his house in Defence Housing Authority.
Earlier on December 8, six people were injured in a cracker attack on a Milad ceremony organised by the MQM-Pakistan in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
With the back-to-back incidents of political violence, independent observers believe this could either be resurfacing of infighting among the splinter groups or the handiwork of some mysterious force.
