Rising malnutrition in Pakistan is a cause for serious concern: Maulana Bashir Farooq

KARACHI: Maulana Muhammad Bashir Farooq Qadri, Founder and Chairman of Saylani Welfare International Trust, has expressed grave concern over the growing prevalence of malnutrition in Pakistan and the inability of millions of people to access adequate nutrition.

He said it was deeply troubling that, despite being an agricultural country, Pakistan continues to face a situation in which millions of families struggle to meet their basic nutritional needs.

Maulana Bashir Farooq expressed concern over a report presented by the Ministry of National Health Services during the Question Hour session of the National Assembly. According to the report, hepatitis claims approximately 48,000 lives annually, while more than 50 percent of children and adolescent girls suffer from deficiencies in essential nutrients.

Commenting on these alarming findings, he said that Saylani Welfare International Trust is providing hygienically prepared, nutritious meals to approximately 200,000 people every day through its nationwide Dastarkhwan (free meal) programme.

In addition, Saylani distributes more than 152 metric tons of fresh meat every month, benefiting over 1.221 million people. The Trust also provides nutritious meals to schoolchildren in underprivileged communities through its School Meal Program, helping address nutritional deficiencies among vulnerable children.

Maulana Bashir Farooq acknowledged that, although these initiatives provide much-needed relief, they represent only a fraction of the assistance required to address the country’s widespread nutritional challenges.

“We recognize that our efforts are modest compared to the scale of need across Pakistan. Nevertheless, we consider it our religious, moral and national responsibility to serve those who are struggling to meet their most basic needs,” he said.

He appealed to financially capable individuals, industrialists, business leaders, traders and philanthropists across the country to contribute according to their means and help ensure access to nutritious food for deserving families.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026