ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has raised concerns over open smoking inside the Parliament House, saying it exposes non-smokers to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.
Ahsan Iqbal objected to the practice of smoking openly within the parliamentary building and questioned why lawmakers who do not smoke should be forced to suffer its consequences.
He made these remarks while speaking during a National Assembly session on Tuesday.
The minister said smoking inside the premises affected other members of parliament, including those who avoided tobacco, and called attention to the need to protect their health and ensure a comfortable environment for everyone.
MNA Naeema Kishwar also voiced concerns over smoking, highlighting the difficulties women lawmakers faced while offering prayers inside the building.
The speaker’s direction sought to ensure that smoking remained confined to the designated spot and that the concerns raised by lawmakers were addressed.
She said cigarette smoke made it difficult for women to breathe comfortably during prayers, raising concerns about the impact of smoking on the designated prayer areas.
اراکین کا قومی اسمبلی کی لابیز کو نو اسموکنگ قرار دینے کا مطالبہ
سپیکر قومی اسمبلی سردار ایاز صادق نے بھی رولنگ دیدی https://t.co/LIKU6KcrMh— Siddeeq Sajid (@S_SajidOfficial) October 20, 2026
The complaints also urged National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to clarify the rules governing smoking in public places and within Parliament House.
The speaker said smoking was already prohibited in public places, adding that a specific area had been designated inside the parliamentary building for those who wished to smoke.
He directed the relevant authorities to ensure that members and others present in Parliament House complied with the designated arrangements and refrained from smoking anywhere outside the allocated area.
The issue highlighted concerns about maintaining a healthy and respectful environment within the country’s highest legislative forum, where lawmakers, staff and visitors share common spaces.
The objections also stressed upon the need for effective enforcement of existing restrictions to prevent exposure to second-hand smoke, particularly in areas used for prayer and other shared activities.