Demands Apology from US Counselor over Interference in Public Health Policy Process
Islamabad – Civil society organizations, health experts, and public health advocates in Pakistan have strongly condemned the recent meeting between a delegation including the US Counselor in Islamabad and the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, during which the US official reportedly lobbied against Pakistan’s evidence-based proposal on Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) on ultra-processed products — a vital measure to protect public health and address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
NCDs — including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses — are now the leading cause of death in Pakistan. Unhealthy diets and increasing consumption of ultra-processed food and beverage products are major drivers of this crisis. Nearly 6 out of 10 deaths in Pakistan are attributed to NCDs, reflecting a serious national public health emergency.
The health and economic burden is severe. Pakistan spends approximately USD 2.6 billion annually on diabetes alone — nearly double the IMF installment received by the country. Over 2,400 Pakistanis die daily from preventable NCDs, placing immense strain on families, the healthcare system, and the national economy.
To address this crisis, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination has recommended Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) to the Ministry of Science and Technology as a simple, evidence-based solution. These labels clearly inform consumers when products contain excessive levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Global evidence shows that FOPWL helps consumers make informed food choices, reduces intake of harmful nutrients, and encourages product reformulation by industry.
The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), civil society partners, and the Ministry of Health have actively advocated for mandatory FOPWL to safeguard public health. Notably, the National Assembly’s National Health Committee has already directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to proceed with implementation in the national interest.
Against this backdrop, reports of diplomatic lobbying in favor of commercial interests to delay or weaken this critical policy are deeply concerning. Public health regulations intended to save lives must not become subjects of corporate negotiation or external influence, as such actions risk undermining Pakistan’s sovereign policymaking process.
It is also contradictory that while the United States is advancing stronger front-of-pack nutrition labeling domestically, its diplomatic representatives are reportedly opposing similar protections in Pakistan.
Civil society urges the Government of Pakistan particularly the Honorable Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary, to take serious notice of this matter. They have called upon the US Counselor in Islamabad to publicly clarify his position and offer an apology for any interference in Pakistan’s sovereign public health policymaking.
