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LAHORE, Jun 01 (APP):Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) and the Surgical Oncology Society Pakistan (SOS-PK) on Sunday organized a public awareness walk from Ittefaq Hospital to Ferozepur Road, Lahore to mark the World No Tobacco Day 2025.
This initiative was part of PBM’s official flagship Pakistan Cancer Awareness Program (P-CAP), aimed at promoting public engagement in cancer prevention and tobacco control.
Managing Director PBM Senator Captain Shaheen Khalid Butt along with the Director General PBM Professor Dr. Zeeshan Danish led the walk and addressed the participants, highlighting the organization’s pivotal role in cancer prevention, early detection, and financial support for underprivileged patients across Pakistan.
Addressing the participants, Captain Shaheen Khalid Butt reaffirmed PBM’s unwavering commitment to supporting the destitute and economically vulnerable, particularly those suffering from major illnesses such as cancer.
He said PBM is already spending Billions of Pak Rupees helping poor Cancer Patients every year.
He said it is very important that such awareness programs to launch as this will reduce the prevalence of disease in the society and reduce the cost of treatment.
He reiterated the PBM’s mission to not only provide financial relief but also to contribute to public health education and disease prevention initiatives across the country.
Managing Director PBM also assured that the PBM would continue such activities which helped the common man to lived a healthier and prosperous life.
The walk was followed by a seminar organized by Professor Dr. Muhammad Arshad Cheema, Founding President of SOS-PK and well renowned Cancer Specialist at the auditorium of Ittefaq Hospital.
The seminar brought together healthcare professionals, civil society, and youth to discuss the health risks posed by tobacco and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases like cancer.
Speaking at the seminar, Principal Amirudin Medical College Prof. Dr Haroon Afzal explained the strategies to overcome the use of Tobacco amongst young people.
Former Health Minister Prof. Dr Javaid Akram, spoke about the reductions of harms of smoking.
Prof. Dr Saulat, Consultant Cancer Surgeon explained about the Lungs related diseases because of Smoking.
In his address, Professor Dr. Zeeshan Danish (DG, PBM) called for a nationwide awareness campaign to reduce the strain on Pakistan’s public healthcare system.
He emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare, particularly in addressing tobacco-related illnesses.
He said about 7 Million People die every year due to the use of Tobacco and more than 90 percent of the lung cancer is caused due to smoking.
He announced to officially launch the first ever National Anti-Smoking Campaign and Pakistan Cancer Awareness Program (P-CAP) from the platform of PBM.
He asked for help from SOS-PK and healthcare experts to join PBM cause to establish Rehabilitation Centre for Drug Addicts and Habitual Smokers.
He also emphasized for integrated support from people all walk of life to make such policies that can reduce the use of Tobacco in Pakistan to reduce the burden of cost of the Disease on the Government.