Health

Karachi – July 3, 2026: The Association for Smoking Alternatives in Pakistan (ASAP), a non-profit organization registered under the SECP, has called for greater accuracy in the communication of scientific research, warning that viral misinformation and selective reporting are creating widespread confusion around smoking, nicotine and tobacco harm reduction. The organization reiterated that quitting tobacco and nicotine altogether remains the best public health outcome but warned that sensational headlines and viral social media content often strip scientific research of its clinical context, leaving the public with a misleading understanding of the evidence. Dr. Aftab Ahmed Khan, Public Health Expert, said one of the studies most frequently cited in viral videos, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, is often presented without explaining the clinical population it actually examined. He said, “The study looked at the healing process in eyes that had already sustained serious damage. Because nicotine temporarily constricts blood vessels, continuing to consume nicotine may slow recovery compared with complete abstinence. Complete cessation remains the preferred outcome. However, it is equally important that the findings are interpreted within the clinical context of the people who were actually studied and are not generalized in ways the research itself does not support.” Commenting on the issue, Mirza Abeer, Founder ASAP said there should be no ambiguity about the public health objective. He said that, “People living with nicotine addiction deserve medical guidance grounded in science. When studies are presented selectively or without their proper context, public understanding suffers. Scientific evidence should help smokers make informed decisions about moving away from combustible cigarettes, not create confusion by drawing conclusions that extend beyond what the research actually examined.” ASAP also stressed the importance of responsible health reporting. Journalist Kashif Hussain said, “Coverage should be guided by high-quality evidence from internationally recognized scientific and public health institutions, including systematic reviews such as those published by the Cochrane Database, rather than isolated studies presented without context or unverified viral content. Scientific findings should be communicated in their entirety because selective reporting can fundamentally change how the public understands the evidence.” ASAP further warned that misinformation can also influence policymaking. According to Anwar Kashif Mumtaz, a lawyer and an economist said, “When reduced-risk alternatives are taxed or regulated in exactly the same way as combustible cigarettes, consumer demand does not simply disappear. Instead, the market becomes more attractive for illicit trade, reducing legitimate tax collection while making regulation even more difficult. Public policy should be informed by robust scientific evidence rather than public perceptions shaped by misinformation.” ASAP maintained that smoking cessation should remain the cornerstone of public health policy while emphasizing that scientific evidence, not misinformation, should guide both public understanding and policymaking. The organization called for responsible reporting that keeps the focus on the well-established harms of smoking while enabling informed discussions on harm reduction.

On Mother’s Day 2026, PTCL & Ufone move beyond connectivity, offering Pakistani mothers free, certified psychiatric consultations through the UPTCL app ISLAMABAD, 10th May 2026 — Today, on Mother’s Day 2026, Pakistan’s largest integrated telecommunications company, PTCL and Ufone announce the launch of #MoreSupportForMothers: a nationwide initiative that pairs awareness with action, first-of-its-kind mental health initiative in the telecom industry. In partnership with Oladoc, Pakistan’s leading digital health platform, PTCL and Ufone are making free consultations with certified psychiatrists available to mothers across Pakistan accessible today through the UPTCL app, at no cost and with no barriers. The Initiative: Turning Connectivity into Care Postpartum depression affects an estimated 40% of Pakistani mothers, a rate up to four times the global average, and among the highest in all of Asia. It is one of the most widespread and least addressed mental health challenges in the country. And for most of the mothers who experience it, professional support has never been a realistic choice. Pakistan has 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. Its mental health budget is 0.4% of total health spending. Nine out of ten people in this country who need mental health support receive none. For new mothers in smaller cities, rural districts, and remote communities, women who also face the added weight of distance, mobility restrictions, and deep-rooted stigma, the gap is even wider. DVC: https://youtu.be/rIyWNKBWT8U Share it with every mother, husband, and family in your life. The Partnership: PTCL, Ufone & Oladoc PTCL and Ufone’s partnership with Oladoc brings together Pakistan’s largest telecom infrastructure and its most trusted digital health platform to deliver something the country’s maternal mental health landscape has never had scale. Oladoc connects patients with thousands of verified healthcare professionals across specialties. Through this partnership, its network of certified psychiatrists is now accessible, for free, to every mother in Pakistan who downloads the UPTCL app. The service is available on iOS and Android, requires no prior diagnosis or referral, and is designed to function in communities far beyond Pakistan’s urban centres. This is not a pilot programme for a handful of users in Karachi or Lahore. PTCL and Ufone’s reach extends across every province, every district, and every corner of Pakistan. And so, through this initiative, the support. PTCL and Ufone have been part of Pakistani families for decades. Their networks carry calls that has crossed distances, the messages that kept people close, and the connections that made the country feel smaller. That history comes with a responsibility, and this initiative is an expression of it. Mental health in Pakistan has long been underfunded, understaffed, and overlaid with stigma. The mothers who bear the highest burden of that neglect are often the least visible, new mothers in the exhausting, disorienting weeks after birth, in homes that celebrate the baby and forget to ask how she is doing. #MoreSupportForMothers does not claim to fix the system. It claims something more achievable and more urgent: that for the mothers in Pakistan who are struggling right now, today, there is somewhere to turn. A real resource. A real professional. A real conversation. Available for free, through a screen they already carry in their pocket.

For years, beauty creams promising instant glow and brighter, clearer skin have dominated shelves across Pakistan. But recent findings suggest that beneath the glossy packaging and bold claims, some of these products may carry serious health risks. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/pakistan-aims-to-break-boom-bust-cycle-with-export-led-strategy-kayani/ The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has stepped in to take decisive action against multiple skincare brands after routine inspections revealed violations of national safety standards. At the center of the issue is the presence of toxic substances, including mercury and arsenic, as well as microbiological contamination, that have no place in cosmetic products. Confirmed through a written response by Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, the six beauty creams, including Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, Parley 24K Gold Beauty Cream, Goree Beauty Cream, and Face Fresh Beauty Cream, among others, failed to meet the requirements set out in Pakistan Standard Specification 3228:2025. Samples were tested by Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, where laboratory analysis confirmed both chemical hazards and microbiological contamination in beauty creams. The findings directly challenge the production process, from ingredient sourcing to quality control. Mercury, commonly used in some skin-lightening formulations, suppresses melanin production to create a temporary brightening effect. However, this accompanies significant side effects, including irritation, rashes, and long-term skin damage. Arsenic, on the other hand, can appear as a contaminant, posing serious health risks even in small amounts. The danger doesn’t stop at the skin. Both substances can be absorbed into the body, leading to complications that extend beyond cosmetic concerns. Experts warn of potential kidney damage, even neurological disorders. Following these revelations, authorities have banned the sale and distribution of the affected creams until they comply with safety regulations. Continuous market surveillance is also underway to ensure that non-compliant products are removed from the stores.This situation alarms consumers against the use of unverified beauty products, raising an uncomfortable question:how much do we really know about the products we trust with our skin?