A delegation from the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) met Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti in Islamabad to underline the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases and press for urgent measures to protect youth health.
The delegation, led by General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman and including Vice President Ghulam Abbas and former FBR Commissioner Abdul Hafeez, provided a detailed briefing on increasing rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory illnesses across Pakistan. They warned that smoking and unhealthy diets are key drivers of this trend and stressed the mounting burden these conditions place on public health and the national economy through rising health expenditure and lost productivity.
To curb the spread of these illnesses, PANAH urged specific policy actions. The group recommended that sugar and ghee be removed from the list of essential commodities receiving subsidies so as not to incentivize unhealthy diets. They also urged a ban on shisha, e-cigarettes and other emerging tobacco products to shield younger Pakistanis from addictive and harmful substances.
PANAH officials called for practical, sustainable policy measures that address prevention, regulation and public awareness, saying that only coordinated action can reverse current trends and lay the groundwork for a healthier, more productive society.
Parliamentary Secretary Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti listened attentively to the delegation and pledged his cooperation and support for stronger public health policies. He reiterated that with a large share of the population being young, immediate government action is essential to safeguard youth health and secure a healthier future for Pakistan.
