ublic health policies should be designed to protect the well-being of citizens, not to serve the interests of powerful corporate entities. Yet, we are witnessing an alarming trend in Pakistan where the food and beverage industry is increasingly attempting to influence public health decision-making, particularly in shaping policy measures that are aimed to reduce the consumption of processed food products containing nutrients of concern such as unhealthy fats, sugar, sodium and non-sugar sweeteners. This influence compromises our nation’s health, fuelling a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and placing an unsustainable strain on our already overburdened healthcare system.

Scientific evidence overwhelmingly links the excessive consumption of these ingredients to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, obesity and hypertension—ailments that are not only reducing the quality of life for millions but are also impairing economic productivity. The World Health Organisation has repeatedly called for governments to implement strong fiscal measures—including taxation and regulatory restrictions—to curb the consumption of unhealthy food products and promote healthier dietary habits. Despite these recommendations, corporate lobbying and industry-led engagement with policymakers continue to hinder the implementation of evidence-based public health policies in Pakistan.

Recent developments highlight how the industry is shaping the narrative around food policy. At a closed-door meeting held by the industry with key public officials in Bhurban and during a conference held at a public sector university in Faisalabad recently, industry representatives put forward several arguments designed to push back against government regulation. In addition, there are series of engagements on record by the food and beverage industry with FBR, Ministry of Finance and other key ministries.

Some industry players and their front groups are criticizing policy measures aimed at improving public health, claiming that they hinder business growth. It is pertinent to mention that fiscal measures like taxing all types of sugary drinks are evidence-based tools to discourage the consumption of harmful products, mitigating their health risks and disease burden, reducing hospital expenditure and benefiting the economy. Industry players have also advocated for self-testing of organic products instead of government-mandated regulation. This could significantly reduce accountability and allow corporations to continue marketing unhealthy products under misleading health claims.

These narratives are not isolated occurrences but part of a broad strategy to dilute public health policies and avoid stringent government regulation.

One of the most concerning aspects of corporate interference in public health is the direct targeting of children. Products high in nutrients of concern are marketed to children by using several strategies including the use of digital media and cartoon characters. Such marketing of unhealthy food and beverage products are part of the efforts to undermine the efforts to curb consumption of such products.

Public health is not an isolated issue—it intersects with education, economic stability and national development. 

Furthermore, corporate involvement in school nutrition programmes undermines efforts to create a healthier food environment for children. Under the Punjab Educational Institutions Food Standards Regulations, 2017, sales and distribution of carbonated beverages—including those produced by multinational corporations—are prohibited in school cafeterias and within a 100-metres of educational institutions. Despite these regulations, we are seeing troubling attempts by the corporations to associate their brands with school-based nutrition initiatives. Allowing companies that sell unhealthy food products to play a role in shaping school nutrition policies or interventions risks legitimising their products and increasing consumption among children. Such partnerships contradict government regulations and public health objectives, sending mixed signals to students, parents and educators.

To safeguard public health, we must take immediate and decisive action to curb undue industry influence in food policy.

Any engagement between policymakers and industry representatives must be transparent, documented and open to scrutiny by public health experts and civil society organisations. Closed-door meetings only undermine public trust and weaken regulatory efforts.

It is equally important to ensure that fiscal measures like taxing sugary drinks are guided by scientific evidence, public health priorities and WHO-recommended standards, not the industry preferences. Policies must be designed to reduce the consumption of harmful food products rather than accommodate corporate profit motives. This includes imposing higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, regulating industrial trans fats and discouraging the consumption of high-sodium products through targeted policy measures.

Clear guidelines must be developed to prevent undue industry influence in policymaking. Decision-makers must be held accountable for ensuring that public health and wellbeing remains at the forefront in all policy discussions.

Public health is not an isolated issue—it intersects with education, economic stability and national development. Pakistan is already facing a public health crisis driven by unhealthy dietary patterns. If we allow industry players to continue influencing policies meant to protect public health, we risk exacerbating this crisis. Protecting public health requires the entire state machinery to take bold steps and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to prioritising the well-being of our citizens.

The writer is a member of the National Assembly