WE, as a nation, waste enormous amount of food without realising that a large portion of our population survives on just one or two meals a day. It is disheartening to witness the extravagant spread at wedding and allied ceremonies, often featuring 10 to 12 main dishes, six to eight desserts, along with an array of soft drinks. At such events, it is common to see guests filling their plates multiple times, only to leave more than half of the food uneaten.

I recall attending a valima reception in Saudi Arabia hosted by a well-known and affluent business family. Instead of a lavish buffet, the hosts served a simple menu of assorted dates, shawarma and kahwa at the ceremony. Despite their means, they chose simplicity, guided by a strong commitment to avoiding food wastage, something that has unfortunately become all too common in Pakistan.

It is time for us to adopt a more res-ponsible approach. We must discipline ourselves to minimise food wastage by limiting menus to one or two main dishes and a single dessert at social gatherings. Authorities across the country should ensure that events conclude by 10pm, with strict penalties for non-compliance. We frequently hear about shortages of essential commodities. Reducing food wastage can contribute to conserving resources and lowering the need for imports, ultimately benefitting the national economy as a whole.

Akber D. Vazir
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026