The President’s Secretariat in Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad, has formally forwarded a petition from the Pakistan National Heart Association to the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue for necessary action under law and rules.
The petition, submitted by Maj. Gen. (Retd) Dr. Masood Ur Rehman Kiani, President of PANAH, requests higher taxes on solid and liquid ultra-processed products to be considered in the Federal Budget 2026-27. PANAH expressed deep gratitude to President Asif Ali Zardari for the prompt referral and for advancing the public health dialogue around UPP taxes.
Maj. Gen. (Retd) Dr. Masood Ur Rehman Kiani said, “We are deeply encouraged by President Zardari’s responsiveness to our public health advocacy. The forwarding of this petition to the Ministry of Finance and FBR is a meaningful step towards protecting millions of Pakistanis from the devastating health consequences of ultra-processed foods and beverages. We urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and ensure that the upcoming Federal Budget 2026-27 includes meaningful tax measures on UPPs.”
PANAH has called on the Ministry of Finance and the FBR to review the petition quickly and to incorporate effective tax measures on ultra-processed products into budget deliberations. The organisation says timely action on UPP taxes could play a significant role in reducing harmful consumption patterns and improving public health outcomes across Pakistan.
