LAHORE: The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) has urged the government to impose a 20% federal excise duty on ultra-processed foods, criticizing the federal budget for ignoring public health while cutting health sector funding by 16%.
Secretary General Sanaullah Ghuman condemned corporate interests overshadowing health priorities, noting Pakistan now faces a heart attack every minute, over 1,100 daily deaths linked to sugar, and the world’s highest diabetes rate. He warned that junk food—including ice cream, biscuits, chocolates, and sugary drinks—fuels diabetes, obesity, and heart/kidney diseases.
Ghuman emphasized that taxing sugary drinks alone could generate Rs. 8 billion in revenue. He demanded immediate “bold decisions” to prioritize children’s health over corporate profits, calling taxation of unhealthy products essential under UN Sustainable Development Goals.
