Health experts urgesafe meat consumption
Speaking to a private news channel on Saturday, Associate Professor and Gastroenterologist Dr Abdullah bin Khalid from Aga Khan University Hospital, emphasised that qurbani meat should ideally be consumed fresh and prepared using healthy cooking methods such as steaming or boiling, rather than frying or processing.
Dr Abdullah warned that excessive consumption of red meat, especially in processed forms, poses health risks. He referred to World Health Organisation (WHO) findings that link red meat consumption to several health issues, adding that the American Heart Association recommends limiting red meat intake to 350 grams per week.
He offered the following guidelines for handling and preparing qurbani meat: Remove excess fat from the meat before cooking. Use healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil. Avoid high flames and overcooking, as these reduce the nutritional value of meat. Cook on low heat to preserve nutrients. Pair meat with fresh salads and green chutney for a balanced meal.
For patients with heart conditions, high cholesterol, or angina, Dr Abdullah advised moderation rather than complete avoidance. "We don't recommend cutting meat out entirely, but it must be consumed in controlled portions," he said.
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Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan is suffocating
As carbon-intensive activities and vehicular emissions rise, so does Pakistan's position among the world's most polluted countries. While it is often emphasized that Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global emissions, the domestic consequences of its polluted air are nothing short of catastrophic. The World Health Organization identifies heart disease as the leading health risk in Pakistan - yet air pollution now causes the highest number of deaths in the country. And the scale of the crisis is reflected in recent warnings. In 2024, UNICEF cautioned that over 11 million children under the age of five were at risk due to hazardous air quality, particularly smog. Pollution levels shattered records in Lahore and Multan, exceeding the WHO's air quality guidelines by more than 100 times. This alarming situation reflects a broader trend: Pakistan consistently ranks among the world's most polluted countries, with its major cities Lahore and Karachi listed as the second and fourth most polluted major cities globally, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI). Though environmental degradation should not be justified in the name of industrial growth, Pakistan has not even achieved meaningful industrialization. Why, then, has air pollution reached life-threatening levels? The answer lies in a combination of factors, including emissions from industrial operations (especially coal-fired power plants), vehicles, and the open burning of domestic waste and crop stubble. However, unless Pakistan takes urgent steps to curb rising emissions, the toxic air will continue to fuel respiratory illnesses, shorten lifespans, and make industrial cities increasingly unlivable. So, what is air pollution? Contrary to popular belief, it is not limited to smog alone - smog is merely one of its many forms. According to the WHO, air pollution is the 'contamination of the environment,' typically caused by various pollutants. Among the most dangerous are fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5 - tiny particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that can enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Even at low concentrations, they pose serious health risks. The WHO sets the safe annual limit for PM2.5 at 5µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter). However, in Pakistan, the average exposure has increased to 73.7µg/m³ - over eight times the limit and far above the global average (see Figure 1). In simple terms, Pakistan is, on average, breathing in 73.7 micrograms of fine particles in every cubic meter of air throughout the year. This is in contrast to countries like Finland (4.9µg/m³), New Zealand (6.5µg/m³), and Canada (6.6µg/m³), which enjoy some of the cleanest air in the world. While it's evident that Pakistan's air is far more polluted than the global average, it's equally crucial to understand the sources driving this pollution. Carbon-intensive industry, crop burning, and vehicle emissions: A toxic trio suffocating Pakistan's air: Pakistan's major cities, Lahore and Karachi, are not only the most densely populated but also serve as hubs of large industrial zones, placing them at the forefront of the impact of emissions. Evidence increasingly points to industrial activity as a major source of air pollution in these urban centers. A study conducted in Karachi identified industrial emissions as a major contributor to PM2.5 concentrations, and consequently, to the city's toxic air. This trend has intensified in recent years. In our article CBAM, Carbon Trap, and the Impact of Irrational Gas Policies, we highlighted the rapid rise in industrial emissions, largely driven by the continued use of carbon-intensive fuels such as coal. This shift has accelerated, particularly with investments in coal-fired power plants - an expansion that multiple studies have linked to worsening air quality. For instance, a study on the Port Qasim Coal-Fired Power Plant in Karachi estimated that in the absence of modern pollution controls, the plant's additional PM2.5 emissions could be linked to approximately 49 excess deaths per year from stroke and heart disease (Global Development Policy Center, 2021). Similarly, another analysis warned that Pakistan's expanding coal-based energy production - including large-scale plants in Thar - could generate dangerously high levels of PM2.5, leading to an estimated 29,000 pollution-related deaths over 30 years (Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, 2020). Adding to these concerns, a 2024 study near the Sahiwal coal-fired power plant found alarming concentrations of toxic metals from coal ash within a 40?km radius, highlighting the environmental footprint of these operations (Luqman et?al.,?2024). Despite this mounting evidence, policy responses remain inadequate. The government often resorts to temporary shutdowns of factories during smog season - an ineffective and economically damaging response that fails to tackle the root cause. A long-term transition to cleaner fuels like natural gas is critical yet remains overlooked in energy policy. In addition to the emissions from coal fired plants, agricultural practices also play a substantial role in seasonal air pollution. In Punjab, air quality deteriorates every winter due to widespread burning of rice stubble - a practice adopted by farmers seeking quick and cheap field clearance for the wheat crop. However, viable alternatives exist. India and China, for example, have promoted the use of machines like the Happy Seeder and zero-till seed drills, which allow for wheat sowing directly through crop residues - helping cut emissions and conserve soil health simultaneously. Vehicular emissions compound the problem. Although Pakistan adopted Euro II standards in 2012, enforcement is weak, and many vehicles - especially older ones - fail to meet even these outdated norms. Meanwhile, countries have moved to Euro V and VI, improving urban air quality. Pakistan need not reinvent the wheel. China's example shows that sustained, coordinated action can yield results. In 2014, it launched a nationwide 'War on Pollution,' which included the phasing out of coal-fired boilers and industrial furnaces, as well as the conversion of coal-fired plants to gas-fired ones - eventually leading to a 32% reduction in particulate matter levels across major cities (Nakano & Yang, 2020). 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FIG 2 & 3 This public health crisis cannot be addressed through temporary bans and seasonal shutdowns alone. The root causes such as uncontrolled carbon emissions, polluting transportation systems, and routine crop residue burning, are well known and must be tackled through a coordinated policy action. Cleaner energy sources, stricter enforcement of vehicle emission standards, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices are no longer optional. As Pakistan continues to lose lives, air pollution is not just an environmental concern - it has become a national emergency. Addressing it will require a revamp of the energy policy and sustained political commitment. Without this, unfortunately, Pakistan will keep on suffocating - with its industries deepening their dependency on carbon and its people gasping for clean air. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Pandemic funds
Listen to article Pakistan's launch of an $18.7 million project under the global Pandemic Fund marks a promising step toward fortifying its fragile health security systems. The project, backed by the WHO, FAO and ADB, is commendable for its adoption of the "One Health" approach — a model that acknowledges the deep interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. In a country where zoonotic diseases are on the rise and antimicrobial resistance is becoming a silent crisis, such integration is necessary. By setting up One Health Units nationwide, Pakistan is attempting to move beyond its traditionally reactive stance on public health crises. These units are expected to enhance disease surveillance and strengthen early warning systems, all while promoting data sharing across sectors. The focus on embedded governance frameworks and workforce training is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a departure from short-term project thinking toward system-wide resilience. However, ambition must meet accountability. Historically, funds for public health have either remained under-utilised or suffered from bureaucratic inertia. Pakistan's healthcare infrastructure, especially at district and provincial levels, remains underdeveloped and underfunded — a gap this initiative must directly confront. Moreover, for One Health Units to succeed, collaboration across ministries — of health, agriculture and climate — must be institutionalised, not limited to symbolic presence at launch events. Without clear inter-ministerial coordination and proper follow-through, this effort risks becoming yet another pilot project that fails to scale. This pandemic fund offers Pakistan a rare opportunity to strengthen its national health security before the next crisis arrives. But it must be treated as more than a donor-driven initiative. Transparency and government commitment are essential if Pakistan truly wants to future-proof itself against the crises of tomorrow.
Express Tribune
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$18.7m pandemic response launched
Pakistan has launched the implementation of a $18.7 million project under the pandemic fund to strengthen its pandemic preparedness and response systems. Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the initiative will establish "One Health Units" across the country through a coordinated approach linking human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the initiative emphasises the urgent need for integrated action across human, animal, and environmental health systems. The launch event, held in Islamabad, brought together over 70 stakeholders, including senior government officials from the ministries of health, food security, and climate change, as well as representatives from provincial authorities and development partners. "The pandemic fund presents a critical opportunity for countries like Pakistan to bolster their national health security. The integration of the One Health approach will enable us to build resilient systems that can detect and respond to complex health threats, including zoonotic spillovers and antimicrobial resistance," said Dr Shabana Saleem, Director General of Health. Pakistan's strategy aligns with the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and the International Health Regulations (IHR), prioritizing the One Health approach to address the fact that over 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals — risks further exacerbated by climate change and growing antimicrobial resistance. The One Health Units will strengthen coordinated disease surveillance, early warning systems, cross-sectoral data sharing, laboratory capacity, and workforce training. These units will be embedded within existing government systems and guided by clear mandates and governance frameworks. "The pandemic fund allows us to move from planning to action, from commitment to coordination," said Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan. "It provides a chance to operationalize long-standing goals for zoonotic disease control, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance management." Dr Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan, emphasized the urgency of the effort: "The Covid pandemic was a stark reminder that building stronger health systems is no longer optional. The WHO is committed to working alongside Pakistan and its partners to save lives when the next health threat emerges." In addition to the $18.7 million from the Pandemic Fund, the initiative has mobilized $4.1 million in co-financing and $49.7 million in co-investment, underscoring strong national and international commitment to building a safer, healthier future.
