Population rapidly becoming a victim of food insecurity
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The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Wednesday said Pakistan’s population is rapidly becoming a victim of food insecurity.
Food insecurity is damaging society and reducing productivity but those who matter are ignoring this issue of critical importance, it said.
Food has always remained important than education therefore millions of children have been forced out of schools to the overcrowded child labour market by parents in a bid to survive the onslaught of inflation, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that food insecurity is being felt in every nook and corner of the country but urban centres are facing enhanced problem where at least 37 per cent people have become malnourished.
Dwindling income are not allowing majority to take proper calorie intake to remain healthy which is emerging as a great threat, said Dr Murtaza Mughal.
He said that misplaced policy of exporting food to please few has also contributed to the food insecurity.
For instance unabated exports of animals has endangered local leather industry and pushed prices of meat beyond the reach of commoners.
This in turn has reduced level of necessary proteins in majority of the population causing severe health issues, he added.
Dr Murtaza Mughal said issues like shortage of irrigation water, poor crop management, storage facilities, pre and post-harvest losses, war against terror, trade deficit, inflation, rising production costs, and overall economic slowdown is also to be blamed.
Rising oil prices, population growth, failure to increase per acre yield and poor policies have also played their role.
Dr Murtaza Mughal said that how can banks finance rural economy when all their resources are being used by government to finance their expanses.
