President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have called for collective efforts to prevent and control diabetes through early screening, timely diagnosis and healthy lifestyles.

In their separate messages on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, being observed today, they highlighted the importance of this year's theme, "Early Action on Diabetes."

The President said International Diabetes Federation estimates indicate that 34.5 million adults in Pakistan were living with diabetes in 2024, with more than one-quarter of them undiagnosed.

He urged citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles, reduce sugar consumption, undertake regular physical activity and undergo timely medical screening.

The President also called upon federal and provincial governments, healthcare professionals, educational institutions and the media to launch coordinated public awareness campaigns, particularly in rural and remote areas.

The Prime Minister said diabetes is emerging as a serious public health concern in Pakistan, stressing that early screening and timely medical intervention are essential to prevent complications.

He said the Federal Government has allocated 6.8 billion rupees for the Prime Minister's Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes Mellitus.

The programme aims to expand screening for early detection, strengthen primary healthcare services and improve access to diagnosis and treatment.

The Prime Minister urged citizens to make regular exercise, balanced nutrition and medical check-ups part of their daily lives.