The Senate committee has urged Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to enforce the 2002 breastfeeding law, citing weak implementation and demanding action against illegal infant formula marketing
Amina Houth
The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services has urged Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to ensure the effective implementation of the Protection of Breast-Feeding and Child Nutrition Ordinance, 2002, warning that weak enforcement threatens infant health.
In a letter to the health minister, committee chairman Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti expressed concern over the failure to enforce the law effectively despite its existence for more than two decades.
According to Dawn, the committee reviewed regulations governing the marketing of infant formula as a substitute for breast milk during its meeting on November 3.
The committee called for the immediate operationalisation of the National Infant Feeding Board and sought details about its formation, meetings and activities. It also demanded information on measures taken to prevent prohibited advertisements, free samples and misleading claims promoting infant formula.
The committee questioned whether Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court orders regarding Urdu labelling and mandatory warnings on formula milk had been implemented. It asked the ministry to provide an update on compliance with the court directives.
While acknowledging that infant formula may be medically necessary in certain circumstances, the committee stressed that its use and marketing must remain within legal and medical guidelines.
It also sought three years of data on inspections, prosecutions, penalties and enforcement activities, along with information about product registration, quality testing and the role of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) in monitoring infant formula products.
The ministry was further asked to explain its coordination with DRAP and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to prevent prohibited advertisements across television, digital platforms and other media.
Senator Chishti called for reviving the National Infant Feeding Board, appointing enforcement officials and initiating legal action against those violating the law.
The committee has directed the ministry to submit a detailed response within 15 days, including relevant court orders, regulatory directions and a comprehensive implementation plan. It also requested the appointment of a focal officer to ensure coordination and regular reporting.
Speaking to Dawn, Senator Chishti said he was particularly keen to protect infants, describing them as the future of Pakistan.
