Urgent Policy Action Needed for Healthy Future of Youth: Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti
Islamabad, PakistanISLAMABAD — A delegation from the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) met with Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti to discuss the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses.The delegation included General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman, Vice President Ghulam Abbas, and former FBR Commissioner Abdul…
Islamabad, Pakistan
ISLAMABAD — A delegation from the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) met with Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti to discuss the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses.
The delegation included General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman, Vice President Ghulam Abbas, and former FBR Commissioner Abdul Hafeez. They briefed the Parliamentary Secretary on the increasing health risks posed by smoking and unhealthy diets, emphasizing that NCDs are not only a public health concern but also a significant economic burden, affecting healthcare costs and productivity.
PANAH called for sugar and ghee to be removed from the list of subsidized essential commodities to discourage unhealthy diets. They also urged the government to ban shisha, e-cigarettes, and other emerging tobacco products to protect the younger generation from harmful habits.
The delegation expressed hope that the government would adopt effective and sustainable policy measures to curb the growing burden of NCDs and lay the foundation for a healthier and more productive Pakistan.
Parliamentary Secretary Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti assured full support for public health initiatives. He highlighted that a significant portion of Pakistan’s population is youth, and immediate policy action is essential to ensure their healthy future.
