Karachi: After visiting Islamabad and Lahore, Iranian President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Karachi on Tuesday.

The Iranian president will meet the Sindh government’s top leaders and representatives of the business community. He will also pay respect to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah—the father of the nation—at this mausoleum.

 Both Sindh and Punjab governments declared local holidays to ease public inconvenience during his visit. Stringent security measures, including air surveillance and temporary internet suspension, were implemented throughout.

President Raisi's official visit began in Islamabad on Monday, marking the first such visit since the February 8 general election.

In Lahore, he was warmly received by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, engaging in meetings with CM Maryam and Governor Baligh Ur Rehman. A luncheon was hosted in honor of the delegation.

Expressing admiration for Allama Iqbal's poetry, President Raisi emphasized Iran's solidarity with Pakistan on the Palestine issue and pledged to enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in energy. He paid homage to Allama Iqbal at his mausoleum, laying a floral wreath and expressing admiration in the visitors' book.

In Lahore's historic Government College University (GCU), President Raisi highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Iran, stressing the importance of arts, sciences, and technology for national progress during his address to students and faculty.

Islamabad: Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki called on Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Islamabad on Tuesday.

During the meeting, both the leaders showed satisfaction on Pak-Saudi relations and expressed determination to further expand the bilateral ties.

The Speaker National Assembly said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia. He said the people of Pakistan possess special bond for Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said both countries have common vies on key global and regional issues. He said parliamentary diplomacy is of the utmost importance to further strengthen bilateral relations. He said exchange of parliamentary delegations and coordination among the Parliamentary Friendship Groups will be helpful in bringing the two nations closer.

The Speaker also appreciated Saudi Arabia's cooperation for the economic development of Pakistan.

Welcoming Saudi Arabia's commitment for investment, he said Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities in this regard. He also thanked the Kingdom for extending facilities to Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia.

He also extended invitation for Chairman Shura Council of Saudi Arabia Dr Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh to visit Pakistan.

The Saudi Ambassador thanked the Speaker for showing strong commitment with the Kingdom and extending good wishes for the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques as well as the desire to expand bilateral relations. He said Saudi Arabia too attaches immense importance to its brotherly relations with Pakistan.

Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki said the people of Saudi Arabia will continue playing their role for the sustainable development and prosperity of Pakistan.

Islamabad: Expressing profound concern, health activists questioned recent efforts by the tobacco industry to introduce 10-stick packs.

This move, according to the activists, not only jeopardizes the progress made in tobacco control but also directly impacts children and low-income individuals, who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

Malik Imran Ahmed, Country Head, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, stated that the attempts for 10-stick packs by the tobacco industry are deeply troubling.

It will not only undermine the progress made in tobacco control but also directly target children and low-income individuals who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. Many countries in the world have banned single-stick and small-stick packet sales because they're easier to purchase for children, youth, and low-income groups, and hence the health burden is very high.

Imran added that the tobacco industry's claims of being one of the highest contributors to the economy are blatant lies. This contribution is forced in the forms of direct taxes. And even those taxes are not up to the benchmark recommended by WHO and World Bank. In fact, the tobacco industry is still making a profit from this situation by indulging in practices such as under-reporting, price adjustment, and pooling its products in the illicit market. If 10-packet cigarettes are allowed for export, there's a solid chance that the tobacco industry will sell them in the local market. And when they'll be questioned, they'll say they're counterfeit products. Therefore, to keep people safe, it's better not to allow these packets in the first place. The tobacco industry doesn't have any legal permits for these so-called export deals, and the burden caused on the national exchequer by these deadly products is much higher than these so-called export deals. So the government should stay vigilant.

Dr. Khalil Ahmad Dogar, Program Manager, SPARC, said that with approximately 31.9 million adults aged 15 years and above reported as current tobacco users, constituting nearly 19.7% of the adult population, the dire consequences of tobacco consumption extend far beyond individual health.

Dr. Khalil urged the government to take proactive measures to protect public health and prevent the exploitation of children and low-income groups by the tobacco industry. We call upon the authorities to reject any proposals that endanger the health and well-being of our citizens.