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 Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN-N) show its resolve to file treason case against Prime Minister Imran Khan Niazi after it came into power.
Senior PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal while addressing a gathering in federal capital, expressed the resolve that if his party came to power, it would “file a treason case against Imran Khan Niazi for bargaining away Kashmir”.
Ahsan Iqbal said after the formation of Pakistan, India had “occupied the land of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters” but the United Nations had designated it as a disputed territory.
“From last over seven decades no Indian government had courage to change the disputed status of Kashmir. But on Aug 5, 2019, Indian government unilaterally changed it. [Before this] Pakistan had seen democratic governments, dictatorships [and] caretaker governments but India had never gotten the courage to change the status”, Ahsan Iqbal revealed.
He questioned whether Pakistan’s defence system had been “weakened so much” that Modi annexed the territory, alleging if that was not the case then Prime Minister Imran Khan had “bargained away” Kashmir in a meeting with United States President Donald Trump.
He was of the view that the armed forces of both countries kept track of the movement of troops in the others’ territory and the PM had been informed of India’s plans but he did not act on the advice of “intelligence agencies”.
“We have information that our intelligence agencies informed Imran that India had sent 200,000 troops into Kashmir and that [he] should tour Muslim countries and stop this atrocity but he did not since he was told flying over seas would bring him bad luck”, PML N leaders said.
Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval himself went to occupied Kashmir to oversee the situation before the annexation, Ahsan Iqbal said, adding that India had also sent away all tourists from the occupied valley two months prior to the annexation. “They knew some operation was going to be carried out. Why did Imran Khan’s government keep quiet?” he asked.
“They kept being deaf and dumb and allowed India to annex [the territory],” claimed the PML-N leader.
He vowed that the PML-N would not bargain on the Kashmir issue.
“We will fight, our children will fight until we gain independence for Kashmir.
“[Imran Khan] Niazi is a traitor to Kashmir, he is a bargainer. I promise if we come into power, we will file a treason case against Niazi for bargaining away Kashmir,” he added.
The PML-N leader also repeated allegations that the 2018 elections were rigged, saying that “Punjab voted for PML-N but the vote was thrown in the waste basket and [Chief Minister Usman] Buzdar’s government was installed”.
Iqbal claimed that if the PML-N would have remained in power, there would have been nine industrial zones in the country today but “an inefficient government was brought into power and today economy, foreign policy and Pakistan’s poor have been destroyed.”
“We have to stop Pakistan from destruction. That’s why we have to separate this Niazi from Pakistan’s government,” he added.
