Hunger at the doorstep

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The spectre of food insecurity in Pakistan has taken on an alarming dimension. The World Bank's recent warning — that nearly 10 million Pakistanis could face acute food insecurity this fiscal year — should be a wake-up call for policymakers and the public alike.

As the economy continues to reel under the weight of tight macroeconomic policies, which have contributed to a lowered growth forecast of just 2.7%, it is the most vulnerable who are now on the brink of crisis.

The heart of the problem lies not only in sluggish growth but also in the intensifying climate impact on agriculture. Pakistan's major crops, particularly rice and maize, have suffered due to erratic weather patterns and water scarcity, undermining rural livelihoods and shrinking national food supplies.

For a country where over 60% of the population resides in rural areas, the blow is particularly severe. This economic strain is further compounded by demographic pressures. With a population growth rate hovering around 2%, Pakistan is projected to add nearly 2 million more people to the ranks of the poor in FY25. This sharp rise in poverty is a human tragedy, manifesting in stunted growth among children and lives stifled by the lack of opportunity.

Averting this looming crisis demands immediate, targeted and coordinated action across multiple fronts. First, social protection programmes must be expanded and better targeted to reach food-insecure households swiftly.

Emergency food distribution in the most affected districts and flood-prone regions should be prioritised. While fiscal discipline is necessary, it cannot come at the cost of human survival.

Investment in climate-resilient agriculture, expansion of social safety nets, targeted food distribution and aggressive employment programmes — especially for women and youth — must be treated as national imperatives. If 10 million Pakistanis are pushed into hunger, the country's stability and development aspirations will be compromised.