The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) held a post-budget sensitization session in Murree to press parliamentarians for stronger fiscal measures to tackle the country’s escalating non-communicable disease burden. PANAH warned that unhealthy diets and widespread consumption of ultra-processed products are driving obesity and diabetes, noting that over 41 percent of adults are overweight or obese and more than 35 million people currently live with diabetes, a figure experts say could reach 70 million by 2050 if action is delayed.
MNAs attending the session included Shazia Aslama Soomro, Shahida Rehmani, Ramesh Lal, Nazir Ahmed Bughio, Sadiq Ali Memon, Haji Rasool Buksh Chandio, Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Samina Khalid Ghurki, Sofia Saeed, Rana Ansar, Musarrat Rafique, Riaz Fatiana, Dr. Azim ud Din Zahid Lakhvi, Muhammad Saadullah, Awais Jakhar, Ex-MNA Dr. Nisar Cheema and Moazzam Ali Khan. PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman also participated in the discussions.
PANAH stressed that ultra-processed products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats are leading risk factors for obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and that fiscal measures are proven tools to reduce consumption. The organisation welcomed the government’s inclusion of GST on several ultra-processed products in the Finance Bill 2026-27 as a positive step, while expressing concern over the application of taxes to certain healthier foods and urging that all fiscal decisions be guided by scientific evidence.
Advocates called specifically for a comprehensive sugar tax on all sweetened beverages and stronger levies on ultra-processed items, arguing that a targeted sugar tax will reduce consumption, lower disease burden and free up resources for public health programmes. PANAH framed the sugar tax as an evidence-based health intervention that can simultaneously improve population health and generate revenue for prevention efforts.
Parliamentarians at the Murree session conveyed deep concern about the rapid rise in NCDs and pledged support for evidence-based policy measures. The gathering concluded with a recommendation letter signed by all attending MNAs to the Finance Minister requesting a 40 percent tax on sweetened beverages, including packaged and fresh fruit juices, a 20 percent FED on other ultra-processed products, an increase in cigarette tax to Rs. 30 per pack and a complete ban on heated tobacco products. These measures were presented as urgent fiscal steps to curb unhealthy consumption and protect future generations.
PANAH and lawmakers called on policymakers to adopt the proposed sugar tax and related fiscal reforms on the basis of public health evidence, stressing that coordinated action now can avert greater health and economic costs in the years ahead.
