A stark warning about impending food insecurity in Pakistan was issued by local and international experts during a two-day symposium titled “Climate Change, Agriculture, Human Nutrition, and Development in Pakistan”. The event, organized by the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) at Aga Khan University (AKU) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Pakistan (SDSN), concluded on Saturday.
The discussions emphasized how severe water shortages, aggravated by climate change, could threaten up to half of Pakistan’s population with food insecurity by 2030.
Agriculture in Crisis: The Indus River Dependency
Professor Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, the founding director of IGHD at AKU, highlighted the precarious reliance of Pakistan’s agriculture on the Indus River system, which is increasingly threatened by glacial melting and unpredictable rainfall. “Ninety percent of Pakistan’s agriculture depends on this vulnerable water source. The impacts of climate change are steering the country toward catastrophic food shortages,” he warned.
Quoting Professor Sir Andrew Haines from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr. Bhutta noted that humanity has already breached six out of nine planetary boundaries, including those related to climate change and biodiversity loss, escalating global risks.
Gender Inequities and Climate Impact
The symposium also shed light on the disproportionate effects of climate change on women, who constitute 40% to 60% of Pakistan’s agricultural labor force. Despite their contributions, women remain excluded from key decision-making processes, further exacerbating existing gender inequalities.
Dr. Haris Gazdar, from the Collective for Social Science Research, elaborated on the unique challenges rural women face in dealing with food insecurity and climate-related stress.
Health and Nutrition Challenges
Pakistan’s high rates of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies were also focal points of the discussion. Dr. Lynette Neufeld, Director of Food and Nutrition at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasized the compounding effects of climate change on malnutrition, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan.
Experts, including Dr. Jai K. Das from AKU, highlighted how climate stressors, such as prolonged heat exposure, disproportionately affect women and children in rural areas.
Innovative Solutions and National Collaboration
The conference underscored the urgent need for collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to address these intertwined crises. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, announced plans to mobilize Rs 100 million to establish a national platform for experts addressing climate-induced challenges. Spearheaded by Dr. Bhutta, this initiative aims to unite professionals in health, agriculture, food security, and nutrition to create cohesive, evidence-based solutions.
Dr. Abid Suleri from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) advocated for cost-effective climate investments, while Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, presented biotechnological innovations to enhance wheat and rice production.
Building Resilience Through Multi-Sectoral Efforts
AKU’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to tackling these pressing issues. Dr. Tania Bubela, AKU Provost, emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, stating, “Climate change is a multidimensional crisis requiring cooperation across all sectors. AKU remains steadfast in leading evidence-based initiatives to ensure sustainable development.”
Dr. Adil Haider, Dean at AKU, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the university’s role in bridging academic research with actionable solutions.
Call to Action
Concluding the symposium, Dr. Bhutta called for a shift from reactive to proactive strategies in addressing food insecurity and climate-related challenges. “We must act decisively and urgently. The future of our country depends on innovative, sustainable, and inclusive approaches,” he urged.
The event ended with a pledge to foster interdisciplinary research and develop actionable policies to combat food insecurity, strengthen resilience, and achieve sustainable development in the face of an escalating climate crisis.
