Karachi: The diet related Non communicable Diseases (NCDs) are skyrocketing in Pakistan. Unhealthy
diet and sugary drinks are the major cause of obesity and many fetal diseases like diabetes, ischemic
heart diseases and stroke. The PNDS demanded FBR and Ministry of Finance to increase federal
excise duty to 50 percent in the 2023-24 finance bill, on all types of sweetened drinks to reduce the
diseases burden. This was said during the seminar on “Public Health Law and Nutrition Outcomes:
The Case of Sugar Sweetened Beverages” organized by PNDS in collaboration with Pakistan National
Heart Association at local hotel in Karachi.
Ms. Fayza Khan, President PNDS addressing a seminar said that favorable government action and
policies can create an enabling environment for ensuring access of healthy diet to our population as
unhealthy diets is one of the leading risk factors of non-communicable diseases. 41.3 percent of
adults being overweight or obese, and 6 out of 10 deaths attributed to NCDs, there is an urgent need
for government interventions. She said that fiscal policies like taxing sugary drinks can help cut down
the diseases burden and the revenue generated may be allocated to promote the nutrition
education.
Mr. Munawar Hussain, Consultant at Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), said that increasing
taxes on sugary drinks is an evidence-based policy action to reduce their consumption, obesity and
related diseases. While referring to modelling study by world bank he said “If the FED on all sugary
drinks is increased to 50 percent, it would help generate the annual economic value of health impact
of $8.9 million and achieve the health gain of 8,500 Disability Adjusted Life Years (DAILYs).” He added
“the average annual tax revenue would increase to $810 million for the next 10 years”. This may
enable government to earmark and increase budgetary allocations for public health programs and
nutrition education.
Secretary General of Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), Mr. Sanaullah Ghumman said that
PANAH is thankful to all those voices which are raised to cut down the consumption of unhealthy diet
to reduce the disease burden and hospital expenditure. He said that beverage industry is misleading
policy makers at every step and creating barriers to the policy process aimed at reducing
consumption of sweetened drinks. The government should give priority to public health instead of
corporate interest and increase tax on all sugary drinks in coming budget of 2023-24 scheduled to be
presented in the parliament in June.
Dr. Sumaira Nasim, Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health Dow University of Health Sciences,
Karachi highlighted the causes of high consumption of SSB in Pakistan and its impact on physical and mental
health. She identified that lack of policy actions, children and youth targeted marketing by beverage industry,
deceptive labelling and low awareness among public are the major reason for consumption of SSBs. She
emphasized involving nutritionist, health professionals, media, teachers and social media influencers to
increase public awareness and also mobilizing support for policy actions aimed at reducing consumption of
SSBs.
This event was attended by nutritionists, public health specialists and other healthcare professionals. Seminar
was followed by a Panel discussion of the Nutrition & Public Health policy experts to combat the
challenges to decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
