Food security and nutrition have become hot topics at conferences, workshops, and national and international platforms due to their critical nature.
A thorough examination of this issue reveals the complex interplay of multiple factors, making it impossible to analyse in isolation. To fully comprehend its implications and identify effective solutions, it is essential to explore the interconnected roles of various sectors, departments and influences that shape the broader landscape of food security.
Global literature has shown that trade and fiscal policies play a crucial role in curbing food insecurity. Together, these policies are decisive factors in shaping a country's economic landscape and, thus, influence the accessibility, affordability, utilisation and stability of the food supply within a nation.
Pakistan's food security situation is dire. According to reports from the World Food Programme, 20.1 per cent of Pakistan's population is undernourished. Forty per cent of children under five suffer from stunting, and the overall nutrition and hunger situation in Pakistan remains serious, with the country ranking 109th out of 127 in the 2024 Global Hunger Index.
Pakistan is on a mission to achieve zero hunger under SDG Goal 2, but these statistics highlight that the country has a long way to go before reaching this target. These figures not only indicate suffering at an individual level but also represent an economic shock for the country. According to a State Bank of Pakistan report on food security, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN estimates that high malnutrition rates can cost an economy 3-4 per cent of its GDP.
In Pakistan’s case, malnutrition and its consequences cost the economy 3.0 per cent of GDP (approximately $7.6 billion annually). The shock to Pakistan's GDP due to food insecurity stems from high child mortality rates, stunting, wasting and vitamin deficiencies, all of which impair a person's mental and physical development. This hindrance prevents individuals from reaching their full potential in all aspects of life, making it difficult for them to excel academically and in physical labour. Consequently, this weakens Pakistan's labour productivity and reduces the future workforce.
However, malnutrition does not only indicate deficiency but also encompasses an excess of nutrients. This is called the Double Burden of Malnutrition (DBM), which refers to the coexistence of both undernutrition and overnutrition within the same population across the life course.
According to the Global Hunger Index, 20.7 per cent of Pakistan's population is undernourished, while the Global Nutrition Report states that 13.4 per cent of adult women (aged 18 and over) and 7.5 per cent of adult men are living with obesity. Pakistan's obesity prevalence is higher than the regional average of 10.3 per cent for women but is equal to the regional average of 7.5 per cent for men. This indicates that the Double Burden of Malnutrition is not experienced equally across genders, posing a challenge for policymakers and the government. It calls for policies that consider gender disparities in the spread of malnutrition across diverse groups.
However, the challenges do not end here. Data from the National Nutrition Survey reveals that the prevalence of obesity and undernourishment varies across provinces. The distribution of malnutrition, including stunting and wasting among children, is not uniform across Pakistan, highlighting significant regional disparities. Hence, the question arises: Would a national policy on food security be more effective, or should provincial-level policies be tailored to address each province's unique dynamics?
Surveys have also shown discrepancies in the prevalence of malnutrition across different socio-economic quartiles of Pakistan, along with variations across provinces and genders. These nonlinear distributions of malnutrition pose a significant challenge for policymakers in designing effective and targeted interventions.
In the past, Pakistan implemented a Federal Excise Duty (FED) increase on all types of aerated beverages, raising it from 13 per cent to 20 per cent during FY2022-23. However, simply imposing taxes on unhealthy products does not necessarily prevent consumers from purchasing them. The strategy should focus on making healthier alternatives more affordable through subsidies. In Pakistan, most subsidies are allocated to staple grains, such as wheat and pulses.
While these grains are nutritious, they do not provide the full range of nutrients needed for a healthy diet. According to the dietary guidelines published by the FAO and the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reform in 2019, a balanced diet should include essential food groups such as cereal grains and grain products, meat, pulses, eggs, milk and dairy products, as well as fruits and vegetables. To ensure better nutritional outcomes, subsidies should be directed toward foods with high nutritional value and taxes should be imposed on the three nutrients of public health concern: sugar, salt, and fats.
Fiscal policies should also be complemented by structured programmes to reduce stunting and wasting, along with early breastfeeding awareness campaigns. As Unicef’s nutrition report states, “Breastfeeding is a critical nutrition intervention for improving both the dietary quality and quantity for children. Breast milk alone meets all the nutritional needs of infants up to six months of age, in addition to providing immunological and psychological benefits.”
In addition to fiscal policies, trade policies are also an effective tool for improving food security. One solution is to impose higher tariffs on ultra-processed foods, aligning with WTO agreements. Pakistan should also enforce strict phytosanitary measures to ensure that the consumption of unsafe additives is controlled. The government should also implement quotas on ultra-processed food imports, ensuring that once a certain limit is reached, no additional imports are allowed. These non-tariff barriers can prove essential in improving food security conditions in Pakistan.
Achieving food security in Pakistan is not the sole responsibility of a single entity. It requires collaboration between the government, international organisations and various stakeholders to implement sustainable policies that address both undernutrition and overnutrition. Policymakers must take a multi-sectoral approach, integrating fiscal policies, trade regulations and social interventions to create an environment where nutritious food is accessible and affordable for all.
International partnerships can provide technical expertise, funding, and best practices to strengthen Pakistan's food security framework. Only through concerted effort and shared responsibility can Pakistan move closer to its goal of achieving zero hunger and ensuring a healthier future for its population.
The writer is associated with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). The views expressed in this article are her own and do not necessarily reflect SDPI’s official stance.