ISLAMABAD: (Parliament Times) Sana Ullah Ghumman, General Secretary of the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), said that tobacco kills half of its users. Consumption of one or two sugary drinks a day increases the risk of heart attack by 42%. This is not the statement of PANAH but it is the finding of the Researchers. In response to PANAH efforts to save the lives of Ordinary People, Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Federal Cabinet passed a bill to increase the price of a pack of cigarettes by Rs 10 and a small bottle of sugary drinks by Rs 1. It was appreciated and overjoyed by the Civil society and health activist of Pakistan that it is a good step taken by Government, but unfortunately it was not implemented in the Federal Budget 2019-2020 or the 2020-2021 budget, which we did. PANAH also approached the FBR but no positive progress was made. To protect our people from fetal diseases, PANAH approach the Federal Ombudsman, who responded positively to our efforts and our request was granted for a hearing. PANAH will continue its struggle to save our people.
