In response to a catastrophic surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country, the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) hosted a strategic, post-budget session with federal lawmakers in Murree. The emergency advocacy meeting aimed to secure immediate parliamentary intervention to implement aggressive health taxes on ultra-processed food products, sweetened beverages, and tobacco in the Finance Bill 2026-27.

Pakistan is currently battling an unprecedented public health crisis. Official statistics reveal that over 41 percent of adults in the country are overweight or obese, while more than 35 million people are actively living with diabetes. Health experts warn that without immediate policy intervention, the nationwide diabetes burden could balloon to a staggering 70 million cases by 2050.

Lawmakers Rally Behind Fiscal Health Policies

The policy sensitization workshop drew a large, cross-party delegation of influential Member National Assemblies (MNAs) eager to reverse the disease trajectory. High-profile attendees included Shazia Aslam 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 Fatyana, Dr. Azim ud Din Zahid Lakhvi, Muhammad Saadullah, Awais Jakhar, Moazzam Ali Khan, and former MNA Dr. Nisar Cheema.

Led by PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman, the association demonstrated how the unregulated consumption of ultra-processed foods—loaded with toxic amounts of sugar, sodium, and trans fats—directly drives high rates of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic failure.

While PANAH warmly welcomed the federal government's decision to levy a General Sales Tax (GST) on select ultra-processed items in the new budget, it expressed concern over unexpected taxes landing on certain natural, healthier food staples. The group urged policymakers to ensure all future fiscal frameworks remain strictly guided by objective nutritional science.

The Murree Declaration: Lawmakers Demand Heavy Tax Increases

Deeply alarmed by the escalating healthcare data, the attending MNAs jointly signed and dispatched an official recommendation letter to the Federal Finance Minister, demanding immediate adjustments to the current budget bill.

The legislative petition formally demands the following fiscal structural changes:

• A 40% total tax rate slapped onto all sweetened beverages, explicitly including packaged and fresh fruit juices.

• A 20% Federal Excise Duty (FED) enforced against all other commercially manufactured ultra-processed food products.

• An extra Rs. 30 tax levy per individual cigarette pack to heavily discourage youth smoking habits.

• A complete, nationwide ban restricting the import, sale, and marketing of heated tobacco products (HTPs).

"The fiscal taxation of harmful commodities is a globally proven, evidence-based intervention that immediately reduces toxic consumption patterns while generating vital revenue for collapsed healthcare infrastructures," stated PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman.

The lawmakers collectively praised PANAH's persistent crusade for preventative healthcare. By pledging their full, unreserved legislative backing, the parliamentarians vowed to champion these high-impact health taxes inside the National Assembly, protecting future generations of Pakistanis from preventable, chronic conditions.