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 (SCP) on Wednesday directed the government to complete the ML-1 project in two years and the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) within three months.
The Supreme Court gave the orders during the hearing of a case pertaining to the losses incurred by Pakistan Railways. Minister of Railways Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed and Minister for Planning Asad Umar were present during today’s hearing.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, the railways minister said railways could not be fixed until the completion of ML-I. “ML-I is the nerve centre of the railways”, he added.
“This is a strong message to those who had said that that CPEC had been buried,” the minister said.
Rasheed further told the media that they had asked the top court for five years about the completion of the project, however, the court gave them two years. “We will tell the Chinese that out court has given us the order. Hundred thousand people will work on the project out of which 95% will be Pakistanis,” he added.
Moreover, he said the apex court had also given the orders to have KCR operationalized within three months.
“We are working with the Sindh government to have the remaining five kilometers cleared. The court has allowed us that we can take help from the Rangers in addition to the police for the clearance of the tracks,” he added.
Last week, the Supreme Court had directed the Sindh government and Railways to revive the KCR and remove all unauthorized buildings which come in the way of KCR and submit its compliance report.
Meanwhile Umar told the media that the ML-1 project would be presented before the next meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of CPEC which will be held in April.
Umar added the process of the project’s approval from Central Development Working Party and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council will be completed in time.
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