In its Annual General Meeting, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Civil Society Alliance Pakistan made a collective pledge to eliminate hunger and reduce all forms of malnutrition in Pakistan. The alliance reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘Declaration of Commitments on Nutrition’ recognised by the Government of Pakistan, UN agencies, and CSOs during the SUN Movement’s launch on December 17, 2013. This reaffirmation aligns with the constitutional right to an adequate standard of living, including food, as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Comprising over 250 Civil Society Organizations under the SUN Movement, SUNCSA Pakistan aims to enhance Pakistan’s nutritional well-being sustainably. By uniting as a robust, coordinated civil society constituency, the alliance advocates for continual progress in nutrition initiatives.
During the meeting, Mr. Mubarak Ali Sarwar, Chairperson of SUNCSA Pakistan, expressed appreciation for the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to improving the nutritional status of the people. He highlighted the recent launch of the ‘National multi-sectoral nutrition’ program – Pakistan Nutrition Initiatives (PANI) as a significant initiative. SUNCSA Pakistan pledges full commitment and support to PANI’s objective of reducing stunting and other forms of malnutrition in the country.
Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, Chief Nutrition and SUN Government Focal Point Pakistan, Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiative, emphasized the importance of recognizing the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in addressing the malnutrition challenge in Pakistan. CSOs, deeply rooted in communities, possess immense potential to complement government efforts, strengthen and support nutrition interventions, and establish a responsive feedback loop between the government and communities.
Dr. Shabina Raza, Nutrition International’s Country Director, emphasizes Pakistan’s urgent need for collective action against malnutrition and hunger. Highlighting the country’s staggering malnutrition rates, she urges collaboration among government, partners, civil society, and the private sector to pave the way for a healthier and more resilient Pakistan. Dr. Raza emphasizes that investing in these efforts is pivotal for Pakistan’s development and recovery, urging all stakeholders to join this critical cause.
The SUN CSA Pakistan strongly encourages the government and relevant stakeholders to take crucial measures, such as recognizing food security and nutrition as fundamental rights in Pakistan’s Constitution, implementing comprehensive multi-sectoral nutrition plans, allocating sufficient financial resources for nutrition interventions, and conducting nationwide nutrition awareness campaigns.
Further recommendations include integrating nutrition and food security into disaster response strategies, adjusting existing social safety net programs to be nutrition-sensitive, enacting provincial legislation for extended maternity and paternity leaves, and enforcing mandatory food fortification laws and food safety regulations.
The alliance invites all stakeholders to join their mission to end hunger and malnutrition, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing nutrition for both present and future generations.
