Aurat Foundation organized a policy dialogue on tobacco control: operational challenges in Islamabad on 22 October 2024. Member of the provincial assembly of Punjab Ms. Tahira Mushtaq, Senior Joint Secretary of Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. Mr. Sohail Akhtar Malik, Dr Mati ur Rehman, Dean Health Services Academy, Mr. Abdul Nabi Solangi, Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services, Syed Ishtiaq Gilani from Child Rights Movement, Malik Sohail Mehmood, Deputy Director (ICT-PIERA), Mr. Asif Hussain, Higher Education Commission, Mr. Abdul Sattar, Director General Human Rights at Ministry of Human Rights, Dr. Maheen Malik, Regional Director were present.

A group of concerned mothers, students of the health services academy, and the youth group from Sangjani participated. MPA Ms. Tahira Mushtaq while speaking at the event said that we will move a comprehensive legislation at the provincial assembly of Punjab for tobacco control in the province. Moreover, other tobacco products like gutka, bidi, naswaar as well as emerging products e-cigarettes, velo, shall be controlled. Senior Joint Secretary Mr. Sohail Akhtar Malik informed that the sFederal Ministry of Education has instructed all schools both public and private to adhere to the provisions of law prohibiting use and sale of tobacco products in and around the educational institutions. Representative of ICT- Private Education Institutions Regulatory Authority Malik Sohail Mehmood said that all institutions have been notified to enforce a ban on tobacco products within and around their premises. Dr Mati ur Rehman, Dean Health Services Academy informed the participants in detail about the hazards of tobacco use. Mr. Asif Hussain, Higher Education Commission presented in length the policy of Higher Education Commission on tobacco control being implemented in 266 universities in the country. Mr. Abdul Nabi Solangi from Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services analyzed different laws vis a vis tobacco control in Pakistan and the lack of laws therein. Dr. Maheen Malik, Regional Director Asia for Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) told that CTFK was acting globally with the support of Bloomberg for the control of tobacco and emerging products.

Mr. Abdul Sattar, Director General Human Rights at the Ministry of Human Rights emphasized the significance of human rights highlighting how cigarette smoking violates these rights and freedom of expression. He stressed that while we are enforcing agencies and strive to do our best, the responsibility of implementation of laws rests on individuals.

Syed Ishtiaq Gilani from Child Rights Movement pointed out the harmful effects of tobacco use and the related products. Moreover, he emphasized that a total mafia is involved in the advertisement of such products who claim them to be safe and completely harmless. He offered several recommendations including the need to review tobacco control policy, sensitization of policy makers and legislators and ensure timely research and data collection on the issue.

Razia Sultana, member of a political activist from Punjab also shared her opinion.