ISLAMABAD: Pakistan National Heart Association (Panah) has claimed that Pakistan has been facing a national health emergency that requires strong and sustained action.

“National health data paints an alarming picture: cardiovascular diseases account for nearly one-third of all deaths in the country; diabetes affects approximately 31 percent of adults—one of the highest prevalence rates in the world; obesity continues to rise, with nearly 40pc of adults classified as overweight or obese; and Pakistan spends an estimated Rs 2.6 billion annually on diabetes management,” PanahPresident retired General Masudur Rehman Kiani said.

Gen Kiani, who is a renowned cardiac surgeon and former commandant Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), said country was facing a severe and rapidly escalating epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Increasing taxes on all sweetened beverages including juices by 40 percent in the Finance Bill 2026–27 should be a cornerstone of the country’s disease prevention strategy. The health and well-being of our children and future generations must remain a national priority and cannot be compromised,” he said.

He emphasised that evidence-based taxation policies can play a vital role in reducing the consumption of unhealthy products, curbing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, and protecting public health.

He further added that one of the reasons of growing burden of deadly diseases in Pakistan was the low excise taxes on sweetened beverages and juices compared to many countries in the region and around the world.

“In contrast, numerous countries have adopted stronger fiscal measures to reduce the consumption of sweetened drinks including juices to protect public health. Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries impose a 50pc excise duty in addition to a 10pc value-added tax (VAT), resulting in a combined effective tax rate of 60pc. The Maldives applies a levy of USD 2.25 per litre on sweetened beverages, while India has 40pc tax on sweetened beverages,” he said.

Secretary General Panah Sanauallah Ghumman said that a 2022 World Bank analysis recommended the introduction of a 50pc excise tax on all sweetened beverages including juices to reduce per capita consumption and improve public health outcomes.

He said that it was pertinent to mention that fruit juices were classified as sugar-sweetened beverages by leading global health authorities, including the World Health Organisation.

“These products often contain high levels of free sugars derived from concentrates and other formulations, while offering no or low nutritional values but high risk of diseases. Regular consumption of sweetened beverages and juices is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and several types of cancers, particularly among children and adolescents. Consequently, public health guidelines around the world discourage their routine consumption”, he added.

Hepatitis C elimination Project

A review meeting regarding the ongoing Hepatitis C elimination pilot project in Islamabad was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal.

During the meeting, a detailed review was conducted of the challenges being faced in Hepatitis C screening and elimination efforts in Islamabad. The participants were briefed on the current progress, operational bottlenecks, and strategies to enhance outreach and service delivery.

The Minister emphasised that Pakistan bears a very high burden of Hepatitis C patients and reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to eliminating the disease from the country.

He directed that effective measures for Hepatitis C elimination must be accelerated, and maximum screening coverage of the population must be ensured. Mustafa Kamal urged hospital heads to further accelerate their efforts to ensure the success of the programme and stressed the importance of timely treatment for patients who test positive.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026