Despite being one of Pakistan’s key agricultural hubs, Sindh faces acute food insecurity levels, affecting 23% of its population—approximately 11.5 million people. The floods of 2022 devastated the province, submerging 3.5 million acres of farmland and causing crop losses valued at $3 billion. With much of the province still recovering from these damages, the availability of staple crops like wheat, rice, and sugarcane remains insufficient to meet the population’s needs.
Moreover, the issue is compounded by poverty and malnutrition. In rural Sindh, 45% of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition, and 15% of households report inadequate daily food intake. Although government and international relief efforts have provided temporary assistance, long-term solutions are urgently required to stabilize agricultural production and improve rural livelihoods.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), food insecurity affects 22% of the population, or approximately 8.8 million people. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing internal displacement due to security concerns and natural disasters. KP is also host to over 1.4 million Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR statistics, placing additional strain on the province’s already limited resources.
The conflict has disrupted agricultural activities in KP’s mountainous and tribal regions, where a significant portion of the population depends on subsistence farming. Additionally, skyrocketing food prices—wheat prices rose by 30% in 2023 alone—have made it increasingly difficult for low-income families to access basic nutrition. Malnutrition among children under five is alarmingly high, with 40% suffering from stunting and 10% experiencing wasting. Despite these challenges, the provincial government has partnered with organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) to implement food assistance programs, benefiting nearly 3 million people in 2023. However, long-term development projects focusing on irrigation and agricultural modernization are critical to addressing the root causes of food insecurity in KP.
Balochistan: The Poorest Province Faces Acute Hunger
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, remains one of the hardest-hit regions in terms of food insecurity. According to FAO data, 25% of Balochistan’s population—around 3 million people—is facing acute food insecurity. Poverty rates in Balochistan are the highest in the country, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line.
Frequent droughts have devastated the province’s agricultural output, as over 60% of its population depends on agriculture and livestock for their livelihood. A lack of modern irrigation systems and climate-resilient infrastructure has left farmers vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns. Consequently, cereal production has dropped by 20% over the past five years, exacerbating food shortages.
Additionally, malnutrition is rampant, with over 50% of children under five experiencing stunted growth. The provincial government, with support from international organizations, is working on initiatives to improve food access and promote sustainable agriculture, but progress remains slow due to limited funding and political instability.
At the national level, Pakistan has made strides in reducing hunger. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research reported a 5% increase in wheat production in 2023, reaching 27.5 million tons. Similarly, rice production recovered to 9 million tons after significant losses during the 2022 floods. However, food affordability remains a major concern, as inflation reached 29.2% in 2023, making essential items out of reach for many low-income households.
Government-led initiatives like the Ehsaas Program and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) have played a crucial role in providing financial assistance and food subsidies to vulnerable populations. In 2023, these programs benefited over 15 million households nationwide. Meanwhile, international organizations like the WFP and FAO have contributed significantly, assisting over 7 million people with food aid and livelihood programs.
Despite these efforts, challenges such as climate change, population growth, and economic instability continue to pose threats to Pakistan’s food security. According to the Global Hunger Index 2023, Pakistan ranks 99th out of 121 countries, indicating that while progress has been made, the fight against hunger is far from over.
While Pakistan’s removal from the FAO’s hunger hotspots list is a positive development, it underscores the need for targeted interventions to address regional disparities. Provinces like Sindh, KP, and Balochistan require immediate attention to mitigate acute food insecurity and long-term investment to build climate-resilient agriculture and infrastructure.
The federal government must also focus on implementing policies that promote equitable food distribution and reduce wastage. According to the Ministry of Food Security, 40% of food produced in Pakistan goes to waste annually, a staggering statistic that highlights inefficiencies in the supply chain. Addressing these issues can help ensure that Pakistan’s progress in combating hunger translates into sustainable food security for all its citizens.
Moreover, tackling the root causes of poverty and malnutrition through education, healthcare, and rural development will be critical. Only by adopting a holistic approach can Pakistan ensure that its citizens, regardless of their region, have access to sufficient and nutritious food.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
