A request of the General Secretary, Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), Sanaullah Ghuman:
As a representative of the refugee community, I request you to help us save hundreds of Pakistani lives every day by increasing the federal excise duty on all sugary drinks to 50 percent in the budget to be presented in June 2025 and imposing a federal excise duty of at least 20 percent on all ultra-processed products or junk foods that contain high amounts of salt, sugar and fat.
Pakistan is facing a very precarious public health situation due to the rapidly increasing rates of non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and kidney diseases. Pakistan has become the first country in the world with diabetes.
According to a study published in 2021 by the International Diabetes Federation, about 1,100 people are dying in Pakistan every day due to diabetes or its complications, and the annual cost of treatment is estimated to be about 2.6 billion US dollars. The main cause of these diseases is the increasing consumption of unhealthy food and sugary drinks.
By increasing the federal excise duty on them, their use can be reduced and billions of rupees can also be earned annually for the government. Which can be spent on improving public health and public welfare. We request you to help us reach the Chairman FBR, Finance Minister, other ministers, and the Prime Minister, and allow us to express our gratitude by becoming a voice for them, for saving hundreds of precious lives and improving public health.
