PAKISTAN’S position as the country most affected by hunger in South Asia is not surprising. An economy battered by weather-related disasters, persistent food inflation, weak growth, terrorism, poverty, and joblessness cannot ensure that its people eat enough and well. The findings of the 2026 Global Hunger Index reveal the inadequacy of our economic, agricultural and social policies. Food insecurity is not simply a problem of inadequate agricultural production, but also of access and affordability. The availability of food in the market matters little to families whose incomes cannot keep pace with the prices. Weak farm productivity, inadequate water management, poor storage, post-harvest losses, and flawed market arrangements have long undermined the food system. High input costs, disrupted livelihoods, and falling purchasing power have made nutritious food difficult for poorer households to afford.

Climate change compounds these pressures. Repeated floods destroy crops, livestock, homes, and rural livelihoods. Droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures threaten harvests. Farmers face risks alongside costly agricultural inputs and uncertain returns. The resulting losses push up food prices, reduce rural incomes, and increase dependence on relief. Policies that fail to encourage investment in modern farming, improve yields or protect farmers’ incentives leave production vulnerable. The human cost is particularly severe for children. The GHI notes that undernourishment has worsened since 2018, and child wasting has moved towards the high threshold. Persistent malnutrition damages physical growth, cognitive development, and future earning capacity. Hunger, therefore, perpetuates poverty and poor productivity across generations. The government must move beyond temporary subsidies. Social protection must reach households that cannot afford basic nutrition, particularly during disasters and price shocks. Besides productive agriculture, climate-resilient infrastructure, better water management, reduced food wastage, and stronger rural employment, lasting progress demands sustained investment in maternal and child nutrition, clean water and primary healthcare.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026