Latest news with #Rs700
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
World No Tobacco Day: WHO, GoP join hands to deal with devastating economic & health impacts
ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan and the World Health Organization (WHO) have joined hands to jointly collaborate to deal with the devastating economic and health impacts of tobacco, which annually results in the deaths of 164,000 people and financially cause Rs700 billion or $2.5 billion losses to the country. The development came here on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day jointly organised by the WHO and the Ministry of National Health Services. The participants emphasised that all tobacco products on the market, without exception and regardless of the manufacturer, are extremely harmful to health and pose serious risks to people of all ages including children and teenagers. Speaking on the occasion, Additional Secretary Health Laeeq Ahmad said that Pakistan was a proud signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Pakistan remains firmly committed to implementing comprehensive, evidence-based measures to reduce tobacco use. He thanked all partners, including WHO, for their unwavering support. 'Together, let us work towards a tobacco-free Pakistan, a nation where our people can live, work, and thrive in an environment that values health, safety, and well-being,' He said that Pakistan in collaboration with WHO and other partners was committed to work together on urgent and sustainable measures to save lives. Measures include long-term increased taxation, advertising bans, regulation on plan packaging and product design to reduce appeal – especially to vulnerable populations such as children and teenagers, tobacco and nicotine-free public spaces, strict enforcement of tobacco control laws, and medical support for those who want to quit. Research has shown that measures such as tobacco taxation are effective in increasing revenues for the government while also reducing consumption, tobacco-related diseases, and pressure on health systems. Pakistan ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004, and WHO provides continuous technical support to the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination and the Federal Board of Revenue in areas such as tobacco tax policy and track-and-trace implementation. WHO Deputy Representative in Pakistan Ellen Thom said, 'The 164,000 people dead to tobacco every year are not just numbers. They are workers with families. They are sons and daughters. They are also teenagers and children, who are particularly vulnerable and an easy target for the advertisement of the tobacco industry. Let us unmask the appeal. Tobacco is not a candy; it is a killer, and we need to protect our children, our families, and our communities.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Pet abandonment crisis in India worsens in monsoon, rescuers highlight need for responsible adoption and care
1 2 Pune: Animal welfare groups in the city have highlighted a sharp rise in pet abandonment cases as the monsoon sets in. Activists explained that damp conditions lead to a higher risk of illnesses — like tick fever, skin and gastrointestinal infections — making it more difficult and expensive for people to care for their pets. Faced with rising costs and limited resources, some make the inexcusable choice to abandon the animal. Earlier this year, a video of a German Shepherd abandoned in a Delhi market, waiting for eight hours for her family, was widely shared online. Her story, heartbreaking but not rare, spotlighted a growing crisis. Since the 2020 Covid lockdown, which saw an impulsive surge in pet adoptions, India has faced a steady uptick in abandonment cases. Excuses cited for the heartless choice include housing disputes, financial strain, or lack of pet-friendly infrastructure around. Many simply underestimate the long-term nature of this responsibility. Cute puppies grow into strong, demanding dogs, some with behavioural or health challenges. When owners can't or won't invest in training or care, pets are dumped at overflowing shelters. Puneeta Khanna, Pune district unit head for People for Animals (PFA), said the problem is exacerbated by unregulated breeders. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Dodge Ram 1500 Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo "Illegal breeders are in it for a quick buck. No genetic testing is done. As dogs grow up, they develop health problems like cancer, diabetes, organ failure, etc. Treatment and care are costly and difficult. Abandonment is chosen." Khanna further blames vaccine reluctance. "There's a DHPPiL 9-in-1 vaccine that costs around Rs700–1,000. People purchase expensive foreign breeds and splurge on fancy accessories and other stuff to show off on social media but won't spend on basic healthcare. These dogs end up in shelters, often for life, because no one wants to adopt an ill pet," she said. The emotional toll on abandoned animals is significant. Last year, a pitbull abandoned on Mahim Beach in Mumbai went on a biting spree, likely triggered by stress and confusion. "Abandonment wreaks havoc on a dog's psyche. They go through cycles of anxiety, wariness, and eventually, cautious trust—only if they're lucky. We often have to fundraise for treatment from our own pockets," said Richa Singh Chowdhury, founder of Bowsome Senior Dog India Foundation in Ahmedabad, who rescues abandoned aging and ill pet dogs from across India, provides treatment, and then tries to find new homes for them. She pointed out that even adopted rescue dogs are sometimes "returned". "Even after being told what care is required, people bring them back after months or even years." Dog trainer and counsellor Shalaka Mundada, who began advising pet parents in 2010 after three dogs were dumped at her hostel, stresses the need for informed decisions. "You're signing up for a 12 to 15-year commitment. Breed, lifestyle, job schedules, personality, all of it matters when choosing a pet," she emphasised. Despite laws under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that label abandonment as cruelty, enforcement is weak. Meet Ashar, cruelty response legal advisor at PETA India, said that the law focuses more on safeguarding people than punishing animal cruelty. "For instance, an abandoned dog in its disoriented and stressed state could attack people or knock someone down by running into them. Pets raised in households cannot survive on the streets, so when abandoned if the dog meets with an accident and loses a limb, only then does it tend to attract BNS section 325. " Solutions exist but require systemic change, said volunteers. Until then, shelters and rescuers continue to shoulder the burden—emotionally, logistically, and financially.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola falls Rs700 in Pakistan
Gold prices in Pakistan decreased on Friday in line with their decline in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs348,600 after it lost Rs700 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs298,868 after it shed Rs599, according to the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On Thursday, gold prices remained stable in Pakistan in line with no change in the international market. The international rate of gold also declined on Friday. The rate was at $3,302 per ounce (with a premium of $20), a decrease of $7, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola remained stable at Rs3,380.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
A costly addiction
Listen to article Pakistan is paying a steep price for tobacco consumption. Each year, tobacco claims 164,000 lives and drains the economy of nearly Rs700 billion in healthcare costs and productivity losses. But, no matter how regrettable these numbers are, tobacco also contributes significantly to the national exchequer through taxes, creating a moral and fiscal dilemma for policymakers. This contradiction lies at the heart of Pakistan's tobacco control struggle. On one hand, increased taxation is the most effective measure to reduce tobacco consumption -— especially among youth and low-income groups — and to prevent the onset of lifelong addiction. On the other hand, the tobacco industry remains one of the top contributors to FBR, particularly through Federal Excise Duty. This makes the government understandably cautious about disrupting a major source of income amid financial constraints. However, the revenue generated from tobacco — while substantial — is dwarfed by the long-term economic toll of tobacco-related diseases. From cancer and heart disease to chronic respiratory illnesses, the burden on our already struggling public health system is immense. As World No Tobacco Day approaches on May 31, WHO has rightly urged Pakistan to adopt urgent tax reforms that prioritise public health. This doesn't mean an overnight collapse of the industry, rather a structured increase in taxes across all tobacco products, without exemptions or loopholes. Gradual yet decisive reforms can reduce consumption, continue to generate revenue in the short term, and significantly reduce long-term health costs. The goal should not be to kill an industry overnight, but to transition away from dependence on one that thrives off addiction. Part of the revenue generated through higher tobacco taxes can and should be ring-fenced for health and education spending, especially tobacco prevention programmes targeting youth.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Smoking costs Pakistan $2.5b annually
Listen to article Tobacco costs Pakistan 164,000 lives and $2.5 billion annually — urgent tax increases can save lives and generate revenues. In a statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the country loses Rs700 billion — approximately $2.5 billion — annually due to the devastating impacts of tobacco on public health. It called for urgent measures including increased taxation to save lives. It said all tobacco products on the market, without exception and regardless of its manufacturer, are extremely harmful to health and pose a major risk to vulnerable populations such as children and teenagers. "As World No Tobacco Day — observed on 31 May — approaches, WHO reaffirms its commitment to partnering with Pakistan to address the chronic health crisis caused by tobacco," it said. It said taxation must be used as a tool to reduce tobacco consumption. Taxation can also increase revenues that can be directed towards health and development priorities. Without additional measures, the harmful impact of tobacco on public health and the national economy will continue to jeopardize Pakistan's efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda with regard to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It said research has shown that tobacco taxation is effective in increasing revenues for the government while also reducing consumption, tobacco-related diseases and pressure on health systems. "In 2023, following a tax increase on tobacco products in Pakistan, tobacco use declined by 19.2%, with 26.3% of smokers cutting down on cigarette consumption. Revenue collection from the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes increased by 66%, from Rs142 billion in 2022-23 to Rs237 billion in 2023-24."
