Islamabad:Civil society organizations, health experts, and public health advocates in Pakistan have strongly condemned the recent meeting between a delegation including the US Counselor in Islamabad and the Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology during which the US official reportedly lobbied against Pakistan's evidence-based proposal on Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) on ultra-processed products -- a vital measure to protect public health and address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
According to the Pakistan National Heart Association, the NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses are now the leading cause of deaths in Pakistan.
Unhealthy diet and increasing consumption of ultra-processed food and beverage products are major drivers of this crisis. Nearly six out of 10 deaths in Pakistan are attributed to NCDs, reflecting a serious national public health emergency.
Pakistan spends approximately $2.6 billion annually on diabetes alone -- nearly double the IMF installment received by the country. Over 2,400 Pakistanis die daily from preventable NCDs, placing immense strain on families, the healthcare system, and the national economy, said the association.
Association's General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman told 'The News' that to address this crisis, the Health Ministry has recommended FOPWL to the Ministry of Science and Technology as a simple, evidence-based solution.
These labels clearly inform consumers when products contain excessive levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Global evidence shows that FOPWL helps consumers make informed food choices, reduces intake of harmful nutrients, and encourages product reformulation by industry.
The association, civil society partners, and the Health Ministry have actively advocated for mandatory FOPWL to safeguard public health. Notably, the National Assembly's committee on National Health has already directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to proceed with implementation in the national interest. They have called upon the US Counselor in Islamabad to publicly clarify his position and offer an apology for any interference in Pakistan's sovereign public health policymaking, he said.
