A recent report by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has revealed a significant challenge in accessing affordable nutritious diets across Pakistan, leaving a large portion of the population unable to meet their energy and nutritional needs.
The Fill the Nutrient Gap (FNG) analysis highlighted the stark disparity in the affordability of daily diets. The cost of a basic energy-only diet varied from Rs18 per capita in rural Balochistan to Rs32 in urban Sindh. Despite this, only 5% of the population struggled to meet their daily energy requirements.
However, the situation worsened when considering a diet that fulfills individual nutrient needs. The cost ranged from Rs67 per capita in rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Rs78 in urban Sindh, with a staggering 66% of the population nationwide unable to afford such a diet. The affordability crisis was most severe in rural Balochistan, where 84% of residents were unable to access a nutritious diet, compared to 59% in rural KP.
The report emphasized the critical nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, warning that malnutrition in these groups could lead to lifelong health and developmental consequences. Children aged 12–23 months were identified as having the lowest cost for a nutritious diet, yet they remain highly vulnerable if their nutrient intake is insufficient during this crucial developmental phase.
Social protection programs like Kafaalat cash transfers and the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) were noted to cover only 13% of the monthly cost of a nutritious diet. The government’s Benazir Nashonuma initiative, launched in 2020 in 14 districts, provides Rs3000 in monthly support to vulnerable groups. While a step in the right direction, the report suggests more robust measures are needed to combat malnutrition on a national scale.
The findings underscore the urgent need for expanded and targeted interventions to address Pakistan’s nutrition crisis, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
