Every year, Pakistan wastes around 26% of its total food production — a staggering figure for a country where millions go to bed hungry. In major cities like Karachi, Lahore and Hyderabad, it’s disturbingly common for households to discard entire meals daily.
In Pakistan, food insecurity is escalating at an alarming rate. Recent reports reveal that 8.6 million people, roughly 24% of the population, faced hunger in 2024. Provinces like Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are among the worst affected. Shockingly, Pakistan now ranks below most South Asian countries in its efforts to combat hunger. In 2021, the hunger rate stood at 18.4%, and the situation has only worsened since.
The food wasted daily could mean the difference between life and death for many. To address this growing crisis, urgent and coordinated action is essential. The government must launch nationwide awareness campaigns, enforce food waste regulations and promote food-sharing initiatives. Leftover food from restaurants, hotels and households should be redirected to food banks or distributed to those in need.
Sara Waseem
Kech
