Civil Society and government reaffirm commitment to nutrition, highlighting its central role in human capital and national security
Islamabad : Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance (SUNCSA) Pakistan, a coalition of over 170 civil society organizations across the country, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Pakistan’s national nutrition agenda by adopting a Joint Declaration, at its Annual General Meeting.
SUNCSA Pakistan is a vibrant network of Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Pakistan and , established in 2014. It recognized the Government of Pakistan’s leadership under URAAN Pakistan to reduce malnutrition and pledged the CSA support to achieving these national goals.
“Malnutrition especially stunting are not just health issues but a matter of national emergency and national security,” said Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for MoPD&SI. Highlighting the importance of human capital, He added that “The era ahead is about brain power, creativity, and capability. If we fail to address malnutrition challenges today, we cannot secure a healthy, capable, and competitive next generation for Pakistan.” He stressed the immediate implementation of actionable recommendations, along with decentralized governance and coordinated efforts between government, civil society, and the private sector, to ensure sustainable solutions for the country’s future.
Dr. Mubarak Ali, Agriculture and Food Security Consultant, Planning Commission while stressing on the nutrition approach for food system transformation said that “Pakistan’s challenge is not food production, but how our food system is designed. Access, affordability, and nutrition must be at the heart of food security.” “Civil society is a co-driver of food system transformation, ensuring that policies translate into action in every community, from Tharparkar to Gilgit-Baltistan, he added.
“SUNCSA Pakistan is the most active network of the SUN Movement Pakistan which has been instrumental in shaping the country’s nutrition landscape”, said Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, Chief Nutrition, SUN Focal Point MoPD&SI & Member SUN Global ExCOM. He added that “Government of Pakistan remains committed to working closely with civil society, development partners, and the private sector to accelerate progress on our national and global targets”.
Mr. Mubarak Ali Sarwar, Chairperson of SUNCSA Pakistan, CEO AGAHE said that “Our efforts are about turning policy into action, shaping national nutrition priorities through evidence-based advocacy and collaboration”. He further added that “By uniting civil society and strengthen collaboration, SUNCSA Pakistan is committed to strengthening nutrition governance and ensuring lasting outcomes. Today’s Joint Declaration reaffirms our resolve to keep nutrition at the heart of Pakistan’s development priorities”.
“Civil society plays a vital role in bringing communities’ voices into national conversations on nutrition and ensuring that solutions truly respond to people’s needs,” said Dr. Shabina Raza, Convener SUNCSA Pakistan, Country Director, Nutrition International & Member SUN Global ExCOM, at the event. “Over the years, SUNCSA Pakistan has demonstrated how collective action and collaboration can shape policies, mobilize communities, and build momentum for change. Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient future for children, women, and families across Pakistan,” she added.
The Joint Declaration emphasizes the urgent need for collective action and strongly encourages the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize five critical areas:
Developing a clear and consultative roadmap to achieve national nutrition targets
Ensuring strong leadership through dedicated nutrition focal points and multi-sectoral platforms
Securing increased and sustained investment in nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions
Embedding nutrition in healthcare, schools, and nationwide awareness campaigns
Enforcing robust food fortification and safety regulations while integrating nutrition into disaster response and social protection strategies
The Joint Declaration adopted this year sets a clear direction for advancing Pakistan’s nutrition agenda and reflects civil society’s renewed determination to collaborate with national leadership. Moving forward, SUNCSA Pakistan will continue to build strategic partnerships across sectors, ensuring that nutrition remains a national priority and that progress is sustained for generations to come.
The event brought together more than 200 nutrition stakeholders including 170 CSOs across Pakistan, government officials, development partners and academia.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
