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: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and IAEA have inked a pact to improve peaceful nuclear cooperation in a new six-year Country Program Framework (CPF).
Under new CPF the two sides have indetified a framework for five priority areas including food and agriculture; human health and nutrition; climate change and water resource management; nuclear power; and radiation and nuclear safety.
New CPF has been signed between Pakistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aimed at strengthening cooperation in peaceful nuclear applications ranging from food security to energy and healthcare.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar and IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation Hua Liu.
It aligns with Pakistan’s development goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while covering three IAEA technical cooperation cycles.
Agriculture, which makes up nearly a quarter of Pakistan’s GDP, will see expanded use of nuclear techniques to boost crop yields, enhance pest control, and improve livestock health. In health, the CPF focuses on expanding nuclear medicine and radiation oncology services across the country’s 20 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals, which already treat more than a million patients annually.
With Pakistan among the most climate-vulnerable nations, nuclear techniques such as isotope hydrology will help manage water resources and adapt to changing weather patterns. In the energy sector, where nuclear contributes over 18 per cent of annual power generation, the CPF emphasizes safe plant operations, waste management, and life-cycle planning.
“The signing of this Country Program Framework reaffirms Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology,” Dr Anwar said.
“With the support of the IAEA, Pakistan will continue to harness these tools to address food security, improve healthcare, strengthen energy security, and safeguard our environment.”
Liu called the agreement a “shared vision for sustainable development through peaceful nuclear cooperation.”
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