In a vibrant public demonstration against the country's worsening health trends, the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) hosted its landmark Annual Health Awareness Walk in Murree. The massive public rally mobilized a diverse cross-section of society—including leading medical experts, civil society representatives, journalists, educators, women, and youth groups—all uniting to demand urgent institutional action against the explosive rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan.
Pakistan is currently grappling with a severe public health emergency that threatens to overwhelm its medical infrastructure. National health data highlights that more than 41 percent of Pakistani adults are currently classified as overweight or obese, while a staggering 33 million people across the country are actively living with diabetes.
Medical Leaders Warn Against the Rise of Ultra-Processed Foods
The high-visibility walk was spearheaded by PANAH President Maj. Gen. (R) Masood-ur-Rehman Kiani and expertly coordinated by PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman. Renowned medical figures, including Dr. Qayyum Awan and Dr. Shahnaz, joined the front lines of the march to directly educate the public on preventative healthcare strategies.
Addressing the participants, Maj. Gen. (R) Masood-ur-Rehman Kiani identified modern dietary shifts as the primary catalyst behind the country's cardiovascular and metabolic health failures.
"Unhealthy dietary habits, particularly the skyrocketing consumption of ultra-processed products, are driving the rapid increase in heart disease and diabetes," Kiani warned. "Adopting clean eating habits, engaging in regular physical activity, and committing to daily walks can dramatically slash NCD risks."
Safeguarding the Next Generation
The core message of the event focused heavily on pediatric health and early dietary intervention. Dr. Shahnaz lauded PANAH’s four decades of uninterrupted public service and emphasized that protecting public wellness must remain an uncompromised national priority. She urged a coordinated alliance between parents and schools to actively eliminate junk food from children's daily routines.
Reinforcing this urgent plea, Dr. Qayyum Awan reminded the crowd that access to nutritious,
wholesome meals is a fundamental right of every single child. He cautioned that letting poor dietary choices slide during early childhood seeds a permanent, high-risk foundation for obesity and heart attacks later in life.
Four Decades of Advocacy for a Healthier Pakistan
Reflecting on the organization's legacy, General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman stated that PANAH has spent over 40 years fighting on the front lines against chronic illnesses through public education, rigorous research, and strict policy advocacy.
To permanently reverse the national NCD trajectory, PANAH is calling for immediate behavioral and systemic changes across the country:
A sharp reduction in the daily consumption of sugary drinks and heavily processed commercial snacks
The systemic promotion of physical education and daily exercise routines in all academic institutions
A unified media and civic campaign to expose the hidden dangers of high sodium, trans fats, and chemical preservatives
The energetic Murree walk concluded with all attendees formally reaffirming their personal and professional commitments to promoting healthy lifestyles. By fostering widespread grassroots awareness, PANAH aims to influence both household habits and federal policies to protect the health and economic productivity of future generations.
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