ISLAMABAD: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for around 60pc of deaths in Pakistan, while more than 35 million people are living with diabetes. This was stated by President Pakistan National Heart Association (Panah) retired Maj Gen Masudur Rehman Kiani.

He was speaking to participants of an event organised to sensitise masses regarding warning labels on ultra-processed foods. He claimed that consumers cannot make healthy choices without clear information about excessive sugar, salt and unhealthy fats in packaged products.

The event was organised by Panah along with its coalition partners. Representatives of the Pakistan Kidney Patients Association, HeartFiles, Pakistan Medical Association and Pakistan Association of Family Physicians attended the event. They formed a lawyers forum to strengthen legal and policy advocacy for mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWLs) on ultra-processed products.

Mr Kiani said: “Consumers have a fundamental right to know what they are eating,” calling for stronger measures to address the growing burden of diet-related diseases.

Stronger measures urged to address growing burden of diet-related diseases

Panah general secretary Sanaullah Ghumman said mandatory warning labels could help consumers identify products containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats and encourage healthier food choices.

He urged the government and regulatory bodies, particularly the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), to expedite implementation of FOPWL regulations without allowing commercial interests to undermine public-health measures.

Senior Supreme Court advocate Akhlaq Awan, speaking for the newly formed Lawyers Forum, said access to accurate food information was a consumer right and a matter of public interest.

The participants called for easily understandable warning labels and immediate regulatory action, particularly to protect children and young people from preventable diet-related diseases.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026