Pakistan today faces a paradox that should concern every policymaker and citizen alike. The country produces enough food to fill stomachs, yet it fails to provide the nourishment required for healthy lives. This troubling reality, highlighted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and other UN partners, underscores a structural imbalance in the national food system. Calories alone do not equate to nutrition, and Pakistan’s current production and consumption patterns reveal a system skewed against dietary diversity and long-term health.

The imbalance is stark. Cereals, grains, sugar, and edible oils dominate both production and consumption, far exceeding recommended dietary levels. At the same time, fruits, vegetables, pulses, and other nutrient-rich foods remain scarce and often unaffordable. The result is a diet heavy in cereals that may stave off hunger but contributes to malnutrition and disease. This pattern is visible across rural and urban households, where grains are the staple and milk is the second most consumed food group. Yet fruit intake remains consistently low, and protein sources beyond dairy—such as meat, poultry, eggs, and pulses—are insufficient. Pulses, which could serve as an affordable protein alternative, are consumed in quantities too small to offset the lack of animal-source foods.

Equally worrying is the rise in consumption of free sugars and fats, particularly in rural areas where inexpensive, energy-dense foods fill the gap left by more diverse diets. Sales of processed foods have nearly doubled in recent years, signaling a rapid dietary transition with serious public health consequences. Pakistan now faces a double burden: undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies persist, while obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases surge. Diabetes affects an estimated 34.5 million people, cardiovascular disease claims nearly 400,000 lives annually, and non-communicable diseases account for more than half of all deaths nationwide. These figures represent not only a human tragedy but also a mounting fiscal crisis for the health system.

The FAO-led roadmap calls for a strategic reallocation of subsidies and incentives. Public funds should not disproportionately support the overproduction of cereals and sugar while nutrient-rich foods remain out of reach for many households. Policymakers must consider targeted taxes on sugar and sugary beverages, with revenues reinvested in nutrition programmes that make fruits, vegetables, and pulses more accessible. Food policy is inseparable from health policy, and the current trajectory risks deepening Pakistan’s health challenges if left unchecked.

Success cannot be measured in tonnes of wheat alone. A truly resilient food system must prioritize balanced diets that protect against disease and strengthen human capital. Pakistan’s future depends on shifting from a calorie-focused approach to one that values nutrition, diversity, and sustainability. The challenge is not simply to produce more food, but to produce the right food—food that nourishes bodies, supports livelihoods, and builds a healthier nation.

If policymakers continue to equate food security with cereal abundance, the country will keep producing enough calories but also too much disease. The time has come to rethink priorities, align subsidies with nutritional needs, and ensure that every Pakistani has access not just to food, but to nourishment.