CTC Expresses Concern Over CDA's Agreement With Tobacco Company

The Coalition for Tobacco Control- Pakistan (CTC-Pak) Tuesday expressed its concern over signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a tobacco company by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on tree plantation

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Aug, 2017 ) : The Coalition for Tobacco Control- Pakistan (CTC-Pak) Tuesday expressed its concern over signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a tobacco company by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on tree plantation.

CTC-Pak's National Coordinator Khurram Hashmi, in a statement here, appealed to the Mayor of Islamabad to call off the MoU signed between the CDA, Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and the tobacco company.

He said that the MoU signed with the tobacco company for tree plantation as a corporate social responsibility activity was distinctly against the spirit of Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) and tarnished the tireless efforts of tobacco civil society organizations and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

He said Pakistan had signed the WHO's Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004 under which the government would not accord any agreement with any public and private firm which would hamper the tobacco control activities in the country.

He appreciated the recent launch of Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign-2017 by the Mayor and CDA Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz. Such initiative, he said, would definitely play a greater role in protecting and enhancing the green character of the Federal capital.

He said the CTC-Pak, a coalition of more than 250 civil society partner organizations hailing from all four provinces, was working towards strengthening the development and implementation of tobacco control policies.