The status of Pakistan as the most food-insecure country in South Asia reflects the entrenched weakness of the economy, agriculture and social protection systems of the country.

The results of GHI for the year 2026 point to the problems facing millions of people trying to provide themselves with adequate and nutritious food despite rising inflation, poor economic performance, poverty, unemployment and climate-related disasters.

Food insecurity in Pakistan is no longer an issue of agricultural production. Rather, it has become an issue of affordability, lack of access to food items and vulnerability of households in the face of economic and natural disasters. A nation may produce enough food or food may be available in its markets, but millions of its citizens can still go hungry if they do not earn enough money to buy a healthy diet. That is the irony of the food system in Pakistan. Prices of flour, vegetables, pulses, meat, milk and other food items have made nutritious food inaccessible for poor families in the country.

In light of electricity charges, transport costs, rent and other necessary expenses dominating household budgeting, food quality and food availability are the first victims. The recent hunger analysis shows worsening of key nutritional indicators. As per the findings of the 2026 GHI report, both undernourishment and child wasting have gotten worse since 2018, with the latter nearing the index high severity threshold. This poses particular concern since lack of proper nutrition in early life causes serious implications for future development of individuals – physical development, education performance and intellectual development. Lack of nutrients in early life will have implications on the health and performance of children that might affect their future lives through low productivity and earning capacities.

Food security of Pakistan is intricately connected to problems of the country’s agriculture industry. At the same time, inefficiencies in markets and the involvement of many middlemen may increase the difference between what growers receive and consumers pay.

It is not enough to increase the food supply to solve the problem of hunger. The country should implement its food policy so that farmers will be able to grow crops effectively, preserve them after the harvest, and supply basic necessities to consumers at low prices. Better warehouses, cold storage, rural roads, and transport systems can minimize losses and ensure stable supplies. Providing better market information, increased competition, and preventing exploitative schemes can ensure that farmers and consumers receive fair prices.

Climate change makes it much more challenging. Frequent floods have destroyed growing crops, killed animals, destroyed irrigation systems, and led to the displacement of rural families. In addition, droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and high temperatures create additional risks for farmers relying on weather conditions. Disasters can ruin an entire season’s crop, resulting in a farmer’s inability to pay debts or buy seeds for the next year.

The resulting decrease in production and supply chain disruption can lead to increased prices for food items, while the people who become victims of natural calamities face loss of income required to buy basic necessities. Thus, the need of the hour is for Pakistan to consider climate resiliency as an integral part of food security. Efficient irrigation, drainage, flood prevention, conservation, and development of climate resistant crops can lower down the vulnerabilities of farmers. Agricultural research and provision of weather information can facilitate farmers in deciding the time of cultivation and harvest. Insurance coverage and financial assistance can act as safeguards from major losses in case of natural calamities.

Water is another area which requires special consideration. Agriculture consumes a substantial proportion of Pakistan’s total available fresh water, but there is waste due to inefficient irrigation techniques and poor infrastructure facilities. Improving the maintenance of canals, promoting water-efficient irrigation technologies and encouraging crops suited to local climatic conditions could help increase productivity without placing additional pressure on scarce resources. Better coordination between federal and provincial authorities is equally necessary to ensure that water is distributed and used efficiently.

The government must also recognise that food insecurity is closely connected to employment and income generation. Families with unstable earnings are often unable to maintain adequate diets when prices rise or employment disappears. Rural workers, informal-sector employees and daily wage earners are especially exposed because they frequently lack savings, insurance or reliable social protection. Expanding productive employment, supporting small businesses and improving opportunities for women and young people would strengthen household purchasing power and reduce dependence on emergency assistance.

Social protection programmes remain essential for families that cannot afford adequate nutrition. Financial assistance and targeted food support should reach vulnerable households promptly, particularly during floods, droughts and periods of sharp food inflation. However, temporary relief cannot replace a comprehensive strategy for reducing poverty.

These support programmes need to be integrated into maternal healthcare, child nutrition care, school feeding programs, nutrition education, and provision of clean drinking water. The primary health care centers should also be able to detect and treat malnutrition cases before any damage occurs.

The success of all these measures would depend on the accountability and proper implementation of the programmes. For the federal and provincial governments to know which communities face the maximum nutritional threats, they need to have accurate statistics. The government expenditures should be measured in terms of food accessibility and improved nutrition of children rather than the number of programmes initiated or the amount of money spent. Cooperation between agriculture, health, education and social security departments is required since hunger cannot be handled by any one department alone.

Finally, the hunger problem in Pakistan is an outcome of poverty, poor performance of the agricultural sector, environmental challenges, and lack of social protection. Increasing food output is vital but not sufficient as it needs to make nutritious food accessible and affordable for vulnerable families.

The government needs to adopt modern and climate-resilient farming techniques, enhance water management practices, minimize food waste, foster rural employment, and provide nutrition assistance. Without this becoming a priority, hunger will cause poor health, undermine efficiency, and perpetuate poverty for generations to come. Guaranteeing that every family can purchase an affordable and healthy meal should be the benchmark by which economic success in Pakistan is measured.