The situation in Pakistan has deteriorated to such an extent that people in many major cities are falling victim to hunger, with children being the most affected. What’s even more shocking is that despite these conditions, the Pakistani government continues to prepare for war with a powerful country like India, ignoring its domestic crises.
One of the main reasons for this situation is the government’s decision to significantly increase the military budget while cutting down on other essential budgets. Even former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with leaders of several political parties and intellectuals living in Pakistan, now admit that Pakistan itself is responsible for its dire state. By supporting terrorists and giving them shelter within its borders, Pakistan has allowed them to carry out attacks not just in other countries, but also on its own soil.
The activities of terrorist organizations in India and other countries lead to situations of conflict. Hence, it would be wiser for Pakistan to stop providing refuge to these groups and helping them spread terror. Instead, the country should focus on tackling the rising hunger and addressing the issues of its common people.
According to the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 11 million people in 68 flood-affected rural districts of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are facing severe food insecurity. At the center of this crisis are rural communities devastated by climate change, long-standing poverty, and government neglect.
In some districts, malnutrition has reached alarming levels. From 2018 to early 2024, the global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate in these regions has risen above 30%—a level considered life-threatening by global standards. Even a GAM rate above 10% is generally seen as a public health emergency.
In Balochistan and Sindh—regions with long-standing demands for autonomy or independence—malnutrition has become a widespread issue, primarily affecting children. Between March 2023 and January 2024, around 2.1 million children aged 6 to 59 months suffered from severe malnutrition. Their diets lacked both quantity and quality, worsened by rising winter food prices, limited employment opportunities, and restricted access to markets.
