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 resumed Afghan transit trade on a phased basis following a 10-day suspension, after an “immediate ceasefire” agreement was reached with the Taliban government in Doha, Qatar.
According to officials, around 300 vehicles that had been stranded at various locations are now being cleared, starting with operations through the Chaman border crossing.
Pakistan has now initially resumed ATT operations from Chaman. For the purpose, the Directorate of Transit Trade (Customs) has issued detailed order on Wednesday for the resumption of transit trade cargo operations at the Chaman border crossing
The order said that normal transit trade operations will resume on a first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis after the clearance of backlog.
The order also outlined a three-phase approach to clear the backlog of stranded consignments that accumulated during the border closure.
The operations will proceed in a systematic manner to process approximately 300 vehicles currently held up at various points along the border route.
In the first phase, nine vehicles that were turned back from the Friendship Gate while waiting to cross the border will be processed.
These consignments will undergo re-weighment and scanning procedures, with any discrepancies triggering a 100% physical inspection inside the NLC Border Terminal.
The second phase will address 74 vehicles that were pushed back from the NLC Border Terminal Yard in Chaman. These too will be subject to re-weighment and scanning, with full inspections conducted when variations are detected.
The third phase involves processing 217 vehicles currently parked in the Halting Yard. These will be cleared for cross-border movement following standard operational procedures.
“Once these backlogs are cleared, normal transit trade operations will resume on a first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis,” order said.
The order further said that images of all cross-border movements of the returned and pushed-back vehicles be captured at the Friendship Gate and maintained on record for documentation purposes.
The resumption of transit trade operations is expected to provide relief to traders and goods carriers affected by the recent border closure, while ensuring enhanced security checks on all cargo movements between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Chaman border serves as a critical trade route for bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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