PANAH organises National Youth Conference

Islamabad:Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) hosted a National Youth Conference here in a local hotel in Islamabad, bringing together young advocates from universities across the country who led impactful social media campaigns urging the government to impose higher taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs).

The guests include President PANAH Major General (r) Masud Ur Rehman Kiani, health and nutrition Policy Advisor Munawar Hussain, Senior Executive Vice President PANAH Dr. Abdul Qayyum Awan, Additional Executive Vice President PANAH Colonel (R) Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Mirza, Vice President PANAH Afshan Tehseen Bajwa, General Secretary PANAH Sana Ullah Ghumman and representatives from universities and academia along with health experts and members from civil society and media.

Speaking on the occasion, Masud Ur Rehman Kiani presented alarming data on the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan. He said that according to recent findings, the NCDs account for 58 per cent of all deaths in Pakistan. SSBs are among the leading contributors to NCDs like obesity and Type 2 diabetes, particularly among low-income populations and youth. With over 33 million adults now living with the disease, obesity rates among youth have also surged, with nearly one in three urban school-going children classified as overweight or obese.

General (r) Masud suggested that taxing sugary drinks is one of the most effective and evidence-based strategies to reduce consumption. Government should take immediate action by imposing higher taxes on sugary drinks to reduce the burden of NCDs.

The conference concluded with a vibrant award ceremony, celebrating the top-performing youth advocates and university teams for their outstanding commitment, creativity, and impact during the campaign. Awards were distributed by president PANAH.

Dr. Abdul Qayyum Awan, Senior Executive Vice President, closed the session by affirming PANAH’s continued commitment to advocate for health taxes and NCD prevention. This movement is not just about policy—it’s about saving lives. And our youth have shown they are ready to lead, he said. At the end, the youth attending the conference passed a resolution unanimously that the government shall increase taxes on sweet drinks instead of fuels.