Civil society organisations under the TRANSFORM Pakistan platform have called for urgent government action to tackle the country’s growing diabetes burden through stronger food regulations, including a ban on partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), mandatory front-of-pack warning labels, and stricter safeguards against conflicts of interest in food standards policymaking.

Marking World Diabetes Day, the organisations said Pakistan is facing one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world, with an estimated 35 million adults living with the disease. Citing projections by the International Diabetes Federation, they warned that the number could double to 70 million by 2050 if effective preventive measures are not taken.

The groups stressed that while Pakistan’s 2025 standards limiting industrially produced trans-fatty acids to less than 2% of total fat were a positive step, a comprehensive legislative ban on PHOs was needed to fully eliminate harmful trans fats from the food supply. They also advocated clear warning labels on processed foods containing excessive levels of salt, sugar and saturated fats to help consumers make healthier choices.

Representatives of the coalition, including Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), Heartfile and the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), emphasised that public health policies should be based on independent scientific evidence and protected from commercial influence. They urged federal and provincial authorities to prioritise public health over private commercial interests in all decisions affecting Pakistan’s food supply and nutrition standards.