40% of children under five in Pakistan suffer from stunting, more than half of women and children are affected by anemia
Karachi- Speakers at a seminar on Friday discussed an escalating nutrition crisis in the country and presented recommendations to cope with the lurking challenges ahead of the federal budget.
The discussion revealed that 40% of children under five in Pakistan suffer from stunting, while 18% of children are wasted, in addition to more than half of women and children affected by anemia.
Billed “nutrition crisis — challenges and pathways to reform” was organized by the Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society (PNDS), in collaboration with the Karachi Press Club (KPC), bringing together experts in nutrition, public health, and fiscal governance to discuss sustainable reforms and policy integration.
Dr. Asim Bashir Khan, a health economist and public finance expert highlighted major gaps in nutrition financing and accountability, emphasizing that Pakistan’s nutrition investments remain below recommended levels and are often not linked to measurable outcomes.
He called for a shift from incremental to performance-based budgeting, stronger monitoring and evaluation systems, greater transparency in public spending, and clear accountability mechanisms to ensure nutrition policies translate into meaningful improvements in population health.
Professor Dr. Abdul Basit, director of Indus Hospital’s diabetes and endocrinology department, noted that obesity is rapidly becoming a major driver of diabetes in Pakistan, yet current prevention efforts targeting adults aged 30-40 start too late since risk factors are already established by school age, with over 10 million children overweight or obese.
“Risk begins before birth, as maternal health, low breastfeeding rates, and both underweight and overweight newborns all influence future obesity and diabetes risk,” he maintained, calling for adoption of a comprehensive prevention strategy that spans pregnancy, childhood, and adulthood.
Fayza Khan, President PNDS, in her opening remarks, stated that nutrition must be recognized as a cornerstone of the country’s health system.
“We need to integrate nutritionists into primary healthcare, appoint dietitians in hospitals and research institutions, and empower them in policymaking,” she said, adding that the PNDS will continue to advocate for multisectoral nutrition financing, inclusion of experts, and establishment of nutrition positions in research and policy.
Despite strong evidence, nutrition remains neglected in the federal budget, with up to 75% financing gaps at provincial levels, costing Pakistan nearly USD 17 billion annually in lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and human capital losses.
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