Islamabad – May 29, 2025(Ghufran): Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) has organized a vital interaction between the Youth of Pakistan and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Health at the Ministry of National Health Services on May 29, 2025. This forum aims to provide a platform for young Pakistanis to directly engage with policymakers and pose critical questions: Is the health of the nation more important than corporate profits? Will the government prioritize youth health or protect industry investments? This event comes at a crucial time when the Federal Budget 2025-26 is being finalized and public health advocates are raising the alarm over aggressive lobbying by the beverage industry. These companies are using familiar tactics—framing taxes as a threat to foreign investment and employment—to mislead policymakers and avoid much-needed excise taxes on sugary drinks.
Mr. Munawar Husain, health and nutrition policy advisor shared that Pakistan is in the midst of a public health emergency. Every day, more than 1,100 Pakistanis die from diabetes and its complications, over 300 limbs are amputated, and a heart attack strikes every minute. The cost of diabetes management alone has skyrocketed to over $2.6 billion annually. Sugary drinks are recognized as major contributors to the rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and liver and kidney disorders.
“Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and even India have implemented much higher taxes—ranging from 40% to 100%—to discourage consumption and reduce the disease burden.
“Research from countries like Mexico, South Africa, and Peru proves that sugary drink taxes reduce consumption of harmful beverages while increasing the demand for healthier alternatives like bottled water and unsweetened milk,” said by Youth Representative. “Moreover, these taxes have no negative net impact on jobs or the economy—a myth long debunked by global evidence. “According to a World Bank modeling study, a 50% tax on sugary drinks in Pakistan could lead to 483,000 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) gained, $7 million in annual economic health value and $51 million in average annual tax revenue over the next decade
General Secretary of PANAH, Mr. Sana Ullah Ghumman, emphasized that public health must take precedence over corporate interests. “Pakistan ranks among the highest globally in diabetes prevalence—one in three adults is affected. This is not sustainable. Prevention through taxation is the only viable solution.” He urge government that “This is a clear win for public health and the economy, Increasing FED on sugary drinks is not just sensible—it’s urgently necessary.”
PANAH and health experts are urging the government to adopt an evidence-based approach and increase the Federal Excise Duty (FED) to at least 50% of the retail price on all sugary drinks—including sodas, energy drinks, packaged juices, iced teas, flavored milk, syrups, and squashes.
Youth representatives participating in the interaction demand that decision-makers resist corporate pressure and stand firm in protecting the health of future generations and demanded that “We call upon the Finance Minister, the Prime Minister, FBR, and the Ministry of Finance to show courage and leadership by increasing taxes on sugary drinks. Our lives and our future depend on it.”