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: Supreme Court of Pakistan Justice Jamal Mandokhel, while hearing a case related to military courts, raised concerns over why cases of soldiers who were martyred in terrorism-related incidents are not being tried in military courts.
Justice Mandokhel emphasized that while soldiers are daily sacrificing their lives, the question arises: why are the cases of these martyrs not being heard in military courts?
He also asked whether an individual holding a particular thought could be tried in a military court, and which cases would fall under Article 8, Clause 3 for trial in military courts.
The Supreme Court’s 7-member constitutional bench is currently hearing intra-court appeals against the decision to allow civilian trials in military courts. Khawaja Haris, representing the Ministry of Defense, is presenting his arguments.
Khawaja Haris argued that the court’s decision incorrectly interpreted Article 8, Clauses 3 and 5 of the Constitution. He referenced the FB Ali case, which established that civilians could be tried in military courts, emphasizing that the two clauses are distinct and cannot be combined.
Justice Jamal Mandokhel remarked that while the country acknowledges the sacrifices of soldiers, the question remains: why aren’t the cases of these martyrs being tried in military courts?
Khawaja Haris responded that the previous ruling wrongly characterized the FB Ali case, where the trial was conducted after Ali’s retirement while he was a civilian, stating that the case was different because the crime occurred while he was still in service.
Justice Mandokhel countered that in the current case, the accused from the May 9 incident were not members of the armed forces. He noted that the term “ex-servicemen” is now commonly used, but these individuals were not even ex-servicemen.
The justice further questioned the extent to which civilians could be tried in military courts, focusing on whether civilians could face the same treatment as those involved in incidents like the APS tragedy. Justice Musarat Hilali echoed this concern, asking whether the same treatment could be extended to all civilians as was done in the APS case, while reminding that Pakistan’s Constitution is not suspended.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired about the international practices concerning military court trials. In response, Khawaja Haris promised to present international examples in his arguments.
Justice Mandokhel concluded by questioning whether individuals holding a particular thought could be tried in military courts, and which cases would qualify under Article 8, Clause 3 for military court trials.
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