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 has rejected what Indian baseless assertions and provocative claims made a debate in the Indian Lok Sabha regarding the so-called Operation Sindoor, asked Modi-led government to stop misleading its people and acknowledge the losses incurred by their armed forces.
In a detailed response to media questions, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan criticized the Indian leadership for its “dangerous tendency to distort facts, justify aggression, and glorify conflict for domestic consumption”.
The spokesperson said India launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam incident without conducting any investigation or presenting credible evidence. “The world knows that India attacked Pakistan without any verifiable evidence or a credible investigation… resulting in the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and children,” he noted.
He went on to say that India failed to achieve any of its military objectives, and Pakistan’s swift response — which involved neutralizing Indian fighter jets and military targets — was a clear demonstration of its defensive strength. “This is an indisputable fact and a testament to Pakistan’s success,” Khan said.
The FO Spokesperson also stressed that Indian leaders should acknowledge the active involvement of a third party in facilitating the ceasefire following the escalation back in May. “India chose the path of belligerence and aggression and did not accept the Pakistani prime minister’s immediate offer for a transparent and independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack,” he said. “India acted as a judge, jury, and executioner.”
The Foreign Office dismissed any references to Operation Mahadev as completely irrelevant. He further said the statement made by the Indian home minister during the parliamentary session was “replete with fabrications”. “It raises serious questions about the credibility of the Indian minister.”
He also questioned the timing of the reported killings of those allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack, calling it a “mere coincidence” as it occurred just before the Lok Sabha debate.
Addressing India’s narrative of a so-called “ne-normal” in bilateral relations and accusations of “nuclear blackmail,” the spokesperson said such statements are “misleading and self-serving”.
“For us, the only ‘normal’ in bilateral relations is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and adherence to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter,” he insisted.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s response in May 2025 — using only its conventional capabilities — disproves any claims of nuclear posturing and showed that it would forcefully counter any future aggression. “India is trying to veil its own escalatory impulses while shifting blame onto Pakistan,” he asserted.
The spokesperson also rejected recent Indian remarks about the Indus Waters Treaty, stating that suspending or undermining the agreement shows its blatant disregard for the sanctity of international treaties.
“India should stop taking pride in unilateral and illegal decisions and instead honour the sanctity of binding global treaties,” he said.
Concluding the briefing, Shafqat Ali Khan cautioned that India’s “reliance on disinformation, jingoism, and chest-thumping” could destabilize the entire South Asian region. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to “peace, regional stability, and a meaningful dialogue” with India on all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute.
“Pakistan has responded firmly in the past, and will continue to do so in the future, should aggression be repeated,” the spokesperson warned.
Read more: Indian Opposition Asks Modi, Don’t Blame Pakistan Without Evidence on Pahalgam Attack
