Zubair Qureshi
A legal team of the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) on Tuessday emphasized that health was a fundamental right of the people, the provision of which is the first responsibility of the government.
At a media interaction on Tuesday, the ‘Panah Legal Team’ emphasized levy of tobacco taxes was not merely a matter of provinces but fell under the federation. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should refrain from confusing the issue they said adding it had caused loss of billions of rupees in terms of revenue. Tobacco tax should be ensured so that the people could get rid of diseases and the government could collect billions of rupees in revenue, they urged. PANAH General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), Mohammad Akhlaq Awan while addressing the press conference said as a result of the joint efforts of Panah and tobacco activists, a bill was passed by the government proposing a health levy on sugary drinks and tobacco, the implementation of which would not only help keep people away from harmful health factors, but also increase government revenue.
However, they said the FBR was using delaying tactics under the garb of the 18th Amendment. They said according to the 18th Amendment, the health levy was not a federal issue, it was a matter for the provinces, but “we are talking about imposing a tax on tobacco, not health.
