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.QUETTA: Security forces killed five terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan, the ISPR, military mouth peace said on Wednesday.
As a spate of terrorist attacks continued instability in Balochistan, the largest and most resource-rich province.
The overnight raid in Khuzdar district on Sept. 14–15 came two days after an explosion killed five security personnel in neighboring Kech.
“During the conduct of operation, own forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and after an intense fire exchange, five Indian sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR said in a statement.
Pakistan frequently blames neighboring India and Afghanistan for sponsoring militant groups on its soil, accusations both New Delhi and Kabul have consistently denied.
“Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” the military added, saying a sanitization operation was under way to eliminate remaining fighters.
In a separate incident late Tuesday, militants killed a police officer and injured two Levies paramilitary personnel in a coordinated assault on a security post in Sherani, officials said.
“Levies and police personnel retaliated, engaging the militants in a fierce gunbattle,” Deputy Commissioner Hazrat Wali Kakar told reporters.
“One police official, Aftab Ur Rehman, was killed in the attack and two Levies personnel, Kalu Khan and Abdul Wahid, were injured.”
He said one Levies officer was still missing as of Wednesday, with a search operation under way. The attackers also torched a Levies vehicle and destroyed Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) stocks stored at the compound.
Also on Tuesday, unidentified gunmen intercepted two armored vehicles transporting over Rs220 million ($770,000) for private banks from Turbat to Gwadar, senior Levies officer Ilahi Bukhsh said.
The assailants disarmed six security guards before fleeing with the cash. No group has claimed responsibility.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has for years faced a low-level insurgency by separatist groups demanding greater autonomy and control over local resources. The militants regularly attack security forces, infrastructure and foreign projects, deterring badly needed investment.
Read more: Tomato Vanished: Flood Devastate Sindh Crops, Threatening Pakistan’s Food Supply
