Pakistan, a country of over 240 million people, holds a unique position on the global stage; it boasts nuclear capabilities, significant agricultural output, and a growing economy often categorised as middle-income.
Yet, these achievements are overshadowed by an alarming public health crisis: malnutrition.
The statistics paint a grim picture—over 40 percent of children under five are stunted, nearly 18 percent are wasted, and more than half suffer from anaemia.
This duality—prosperity juxtaposed with pervasive malnutrition—raises critical questions about governance, resource allocation, and societal priorities.
Malnutrition in Pakistan manifests in multiple forms, including stunting, wasting, anaemia, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Stunting, a condition caused by chronic malnutrition, affects 40 percent of Pakistani children under five, severely impacting their physical and cognitive development.
Wasting, indicative of acute malnutrition, affects 18 percent of children and increases the risk of mortality.
Meanwhile, anaemia, largely due to iron deficiency, affects over half of this vulnerable demographic, contributing to poor health and developmental outcomes.
These figures are not merely numbers; they represent a generation at risk.
Children who are stunted or wasted are less likely to perform well in school, limiting their future economic opportunities and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
The long-term societal implications include diminished human capital, reduced workforce productivity, and an increased burden on healthcare systems.
Pakistan’s agricultural sector accounts for nearly 20 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about 38 percent of its labour force.
The country is a major producer of wheat, rice, sugarcane, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Despite this agricultural abundance, food insecurity remains a persistent issue.
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), nearly 37 percent of Pakistan’s population faces food insecurity, with 18 percent experiencing severe hunger.
This paradox—agricultural surplus coexisting with widespread malnutrition—can be attributed to several factors.
First, inefficiencies in food distribution mean that rural areas, where the majority of Pakistan’s poor reside, often have limited access to nutritious food.
Second, dietary preferences lean heavily towards calorie-dense but nutrient-poor staples like wheat and rice, leading to micronutrient deficiencies.
Third, economic disparities exacerbate the issue; many households simply cannot afford a balanced diet.
The persistence of malnutrition in Pakistan highlights systemic governance issues.
Policies aimed at improving food security and nutrition often lack coordination and effective implementation.
For instance, while the government has launched initiatives like the Ehsaas programme to address poverty and social inequality, these efforts have yet to make a significant dent in malnutrition rates.
Moreover, public health spending in Pakistan remains alarmingly low, at approximately 1.2 percent of the GDP.
This underinvestment compromises the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, including maternal and child health programmes that are crucial for combating malnutrition.
Inadequate infrastructure further limits the reach of interventions, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Malnutrition in Pakistan is deeply intertwined with socioeconomic and cultural factors.
Poverty remains a primary driver, with nearly 21.9 percent of the population living below the national poverty line.
Poor households are more likely to experience food insecurity and lack access to healthcare and education, creating a vicious cycle of malnutrition and poverty.
Cultural practices also play a role. Gender inequality, deeply entrenched in many parts of the country, restricts women’s access to education, employment, and healthcare.
This not only affects their nutritional status but also has cascading effects on their children.
For example, malnourished mothers are more likely to give birth to underweight babies, perpetuating intergenerational malnutrition.
Climate change adds another layer of complexity to Pakistan’s malnutrition crisis.
The country is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and heat waves.
These events disrupt agricultural productivity, reduce food availability, and increase the prevalence of waterborne diseases, which further exacerbate malnutrition.
The devastating floods of 2022 serve as a stark example.
Affecting over 33 million people, the disaster destroyed crops, livestock, and infrastructure, plunging millions into food insecurity and malnutrition.
Such events underscore the urgent need for climate-resilient agricultural practices and disaster preparedness.
Malnutrition is not merely a health issue; it is a societal crisis that threatens Pakistan’s economic growth, social stability, and future prosperity.
Addressing this challenge requires a paradigm shift in how the country allocates resources and prioritises development goals.
Investments in nutrition should be viewed not as costs but as essential for building a healthier, more productive society.
The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the stakes are too high to ignore.
Pakistan’s children—its future—deserve better. Policymakers, civil society, and international organisations must come together to combat malnutrition and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Only then can Pakistan truly unlock its potential and fulfil its promise as a nation.
According to an editorial published in one of Pakistan’s largest circulated English daily The Dawn, the country urgently needs to tackle the critical challenge of food security, as 7.9 million people face acute hunger.
Greater emphasis should be placed on preventive healthcare and nutrition education, especially since only 38 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed during their first six months, the editorial read. “Granted that the challenges are enormous — and include funding constraints and weak inter-sectoral coordination — but progress is possible with political will and smart partnerships,” it added. “We can either invest in our children’s nutrition now or pay a far heavier price in lost potential and productivity. The clock is ticking.”
