Islamabad: Demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, Pakistan triumphed in the Central Asian Volleyball Championship by defeating Turkmenistan in the final with a scoreline of 3-1.

The thrilling final saw Pakistan secure victory with set scores of 21-25, 19-25, 25-20, and 14-25.

Throughout the tournament, Pakistan showcased their dominance by remaining unbeaten, winning all six of their matches.

The national team won a total of 18 sets while losing only 3, underscoring their superiority in the competition.

Islamabad: Member Parliaments calling the tobacco consumption as a menace for the youth and the nation stressed for the joint efforts to reduce the consumption in the country by increasing taxes on tobacco products.

This was agreed in an event, organized by the Human Development Foundation (HDF) and partner organizations, brought together policymakers, experts, activists, and stakeholders to discuss comprehensive approaches to combatting the widespread impact of tobacco consumption.

Addressing to the event chief guest Member National Assembly Shehla Raza said increase in the prices of tobacco can make it out of reach youth.

She also said entire nation and all stakeholders have to show responsibility to discourage tobacco consumption in the society.

Shehla Raza emphasized the importance of effective tobacco control measures in safeguarding public health and promoting societal well-being.

On this occasion Maryam Gul Tahir Director Pakistan-based think tank Center for Research and Dialogue (CRD) Survey shows that 18% quit smoking due to an increase in cigarette prices. The survey results have demonstrated that tax hikes promise a win-win for both the public health and the government revenue,” said Maryam Gul Tahir, Director CRD.

On this occasion MP Neelson Azeem said healthcare challenges stemming from tobacco-related illnesses in Pakistan. The nation faces an alarming annual healthcare burden of about PKR 615 billion. Mr. Azeem emphasized the pressing need for comprehensive measures to address tobacco consumption and its detrimental effects on public health and the economy.

During the event, WHO technical Advisor Shahzad Alam said World Health Organization's (WHO) present the study on illicit trade of tobacco and said overall, the illicit trade of cigarettes in Pakistan accounted for only 23.1% of the total trade against the claims of the tobacco industry. The findings underscore the effectiveness of high tobacco taxation as a vital measure in combating tobacco consumption, as is advocated by WHO.

Expert Muhammad Sabir, emphasized the benefits of increased tobacco taxation, which has already shown significant revenue growth, reaching PKR 122 billion between July 2023 and January 2024.

He said full-year projections exceed PKR 200 billion, representing a substantial increase compared to previous fiscal years.

The event concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration in the fight against tobacco use. The symposium provided a platform for meaningful engagement and collaboration among stakeholders, reaffirming the collective resolve to implement evidence-based strategies for tobacco control in Pakistan.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar would represent Pakistan at two-day meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFMs) of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), beginning at Astana in Kazakhstan from Monday.

The Foreign Minister would also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting.

A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar invited the Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of the investment-friendly policies, and set up labour intensive industry in Pakistan.

In his keynote address at the Pakistan-China Business Roundtable Conference in Beijing, Ishaq Dar said that the government has expedited construction of special economic zones and offers attractive incentives for establishment of different industrial units.

He said the government has worked out 13 key areas having great potential for the Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs to establish industry on ownership basis or through joint venture with Pakistani business people.

He said that there are competitive and lucrative incentives especially in special economic zones, export processing zones, Gwadar free zone, and special technology zones.