Islamabad, October 16, 2024 – On the occasion of World Food Day, Major General Masud Ur
Rehman Kiani underscored the critical role of government in making healthy food accessible to
all. He highlighted alarming health statistics, stating, “Pakistan is facing a health crisis, with 33
million diabetics and another 10 million on the brink of the disease, as reported by the
International Diabetes Federation. Obesity is surging, hypertension is rampant, and these
preventable conditions are becoming part of everyday life.”
Maj Gen Kiani called for urgent collective action to change harmful eating habits, starting at the
individual level. He stressed the need to embrace healthier choices: “We must focus on home-
cooked meals, reduce our intake of salt, sugar, and oil, opt for water over sugary drinks, and
prioritize fresh, unprocessed foods.”
Mr. Munawar Hussain, Country Coordinator for GHAI, warned that Pakistan’s food and health
landscape is dire. He cited the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
linked to the widespread consumption of ultra-processed products (UPPs). Over 41% of adults
in Pakistan are overweight or obese, with more than 33 million living with diabetes. If immediate
policy action is not taken, this number will escalate to 62 million by 2045.
Hussain emphasized that UPPs, loaded with excessive sugar, salt, and trans-fats, are a major
driver of NCDs. He urged the government to take decisive action, including raising taxes on
these harmful products and introducing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels. “These
measures have proven effective globally and are essential to reduce consumption of unhealthy
foods in Pakistan.”
Sana Ullah Ghumman, echoing the theme of World Food Day 2024, “Right to Food for a Better
Life and a Better Future,” called for stronger government regulations. “The government must
lead the charge in addressing the food crisis with stronger policies, including clear front-of-pack
warning labels on unhealthy foods and public health campaigns to raise awareness,” he stated.
Ghumman further called for an increase in taxes on ultra-processed products, stressing that these
non-essential items not only deteriorate public health but also strain the healthcare system.
“Taxing UPPs will yield triple benefits: enhanced government revenue, reduced healthcare costs,
and a healthier population.”
In light of the current fiscal challenges, where the government is exploring options to address tax
shortfalls, Ghumman suggested that taxing unhealthy products in the upcoming supplementary
finance bill could both increase revenue and relieve the national health burden.
Sub Editor: Ghufran