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: Pilots of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spotted an unidentified flying object (UFO) in the sky over Rahim Yar Khan, while operating a domestic flight (PK-304).
According to reports citing sources, the pilot saw the UFO near Rahim Yar Khan during a Lahore-bound flight from Karachi.
“The UFO was extremely bright despite the presence of sunlight,” the pilot said, according to sources, adding that spotting such a bright object at daytime is very rare.
The pilot said the thing the crew saw in the sky was not a planet or star, but it was moving and blinking, which suggests it could be a “space station” or an “artificial planet” near the Earth.
Many residents of Rahim Yar Khan also spotted the shiny UFO and made videos of it, the report said, Geo News reported.
A PIA spokesperson said that the UFO was spotted by the pilot during a Lahore-bound flight from Karachi. It was seen at around 4pm near Rahim Yar Khan.
It cannot be said for certain whether it was a UFO or something else, the spokesperson said, adding that the captain of the flight had immediately reported the sighting back to the control room.
The video of the UFO has also gone viral on social media. However, nothing can be said about the object for sure.
“It is too early to say what that object was. In fact, we might no be able to tell what the object was at all,” said the spokesperson. “However, something was spotted and it was reported in accordance with the required protocol.”
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