ISLAMABAD: A non-government organisation has urged airlines not to serve beverages and suggested to food authorities, social welfare departments and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) not to accept donations from the beverages industry.

The letters have been written by Pakistan National Heart Association (Panah). The association has urged airlines that passengers should not be served sugary drinks to travellers.

It stated that beverages were a threat to public health and economy as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) especially obesity and diabetes were increasing at an alarming rate in Pakistan.

“Pakistan has the third highest burden of diabetes worldwide with 33 million people living with diabetes and the rate at which diabetes is increasing in Pakistan is at the top in developing countries. Airlines often serve sugary drinks to their passengers during flight which pose a health risk to the passengers,” it stated in letters sent to top managements of airlines.

Activists ask social welfare departments, NDMA not to accept donations from beverages industry

They have been suggested to serve water and other healthy foods instead of beverages.

Similarly letters, sent to Director Generals (DGs) of Food Authorities, Social Welfare Departments and NDMA, suggested that they should not accept donations from the beverages industry because companies give donations for the marketing of their products.

Secretary General Panah Sanaullah Ghumman, while talking to Dawn, said that Pakistan was the third largest country in terms of diabetes prevalence, over 33 million people were diabetic and 400,000 people died every year due to diabetes and other complications of this silent-killer disease.

“Diabetes can cause blindness, amputations of affected parts, kidney failure, heart attack, depression and in some cases suicide,” he said.

While replying to a question, he said that it was unfortunate that the beverages industry use donations for the marketing of its products.

“That is why we have urged government institutions not to accept donations from the industry because such products become reason of diabetes which put a huge burden of treatment on the families and govt,” Mr Ghumman said.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2022