Over 10 Crore Pakistanis Overweight as Experts Warn of Looming Health Crisis
Karachi : Pakistan is facing a growing health emergency with more than 10 crore adults — over 75% of the population — now overweight or obese, according to leading health experts who spoke at a high-level medical conference in Karachi.
Obesity: “The Mother of All Diseases”
Specialists warned that obesity is fueling a surge in diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, cancers, and kidney failure — conditions that are putting unprecedented pressure on the country’s health system.
Prof. Waseem Hanif, Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University of Birmingham, described obesity as “a normal response to an abnormal environment.”
“In Pakistan, over 100 million people are obese. For South Asians, the risk of obesity-related diseases starts at lower body weights, with an ideal BMI closer to 23,” he explained.
He highlighted tirzepatide as a groundbreaking treatment, capable of reducing weight by up to 25%, but stressed that it must be combined with balanced diet and exercise.
Tirzepatide: A New Breakthrough in Pakistan
The conference also marked the launch of Pakistan’s first generic tirzepatide by Getz Pharma. Globally recognized as a major advancement in obesity and diabetes care, tirzepatide not only lowers HbA1c by up to 2.5% but also delivers significant weight reduction.
Dr. Riasat Ali Khan, President of the Primary Care Diabetes Association of Pakistan, called obesity “the mother of all sins,” adding:
“If we can control obesity, we can significantly reduce heart attacks, kidney failure, diabetes, and hypertension.”
Experts Stress Urgent Action
Dr. Khurram Hussain, Managing Director of Getz Pharma, said the company is committed to offering affordable, evidence-based therapies.
“With GLP-1 and GIP therapies like tirzepatide, our goal is to support safe weight loss and reduce the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he said.
Dr. Khurram Nasir, Co-Primary Investigator of the PAK-SEHAT study and Chief of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Houston Methodist, shared alarming figures:
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Only 1 in 5 adults in Pakistan has a normal BMI.
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Nearly 3 out of 4 adults are obese, making it the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Looking Ahead
The event was attended by endocrinologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, and general practitioners, who welcomed the arrival of tirzepatide in Pakistan.
Experts concluded that addressing obesity through lifestyle changes, public awareness, and new medical therapies is critical to protecting Pakistan’s health system from collapse.
