2-day conference on Pakistan's nutrition crisis begins in Islamabad

2-day conference on Pakistan's nutrition crisis begins in Islamabad. Malnutrition is costing Pakistan upwards of $17 billion annually.

Key points

• News Desk Published September 2, 2026 Updated September 2, 2026 09: 47am.
• The power of nutrition in the first 8, 000 days: why early nutrition matters.
• The conference has begun with the playing of the national anthem and the recitation of the Holy Quran.
• The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, international development leaders, health professionals and nutrition experts to confront the burgeoning crisis and build momentum for urgent, coordinated action.

In practice, a two-day international conference, 'Act For Nutrition: The Emergency We Can No Longer Ignore', is being held at Islamabad's Serena Hotel on Pakistan's persistent nutrition and stunting crisis.

With more than 40 per cent of children under five stunted, a maternal mortality rate of 155 deaths per 100, 000 live births, and malnutrition costing Pakistan upwards of $17 billion annually, the country stands at a crossroads: continue on the current trajectory and surrender an entire generation's potential, or choose a different future.

Notably, the two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, international development leaders, health professionals and nutrition experts to confront the burgeoning crisis and build momentum for urgent, coordinated action.

Notably, the focus of discussions will be on moving the national conversation beyond statistics towards practical, measurable interventions that can improve nutrition outcomes and protect Pakis­tan's human capital and future generations. View the full agenda here. 9: 45am – Conference begins.

For context, the conference has begun with the playing of the national anthem and the recitation of the Holy Quran. The malnourished children of 2018 are teenagers now. What's the plan?

In practice, the power of nutrition in the first 8, 000 days: why early nutrition matters. How Pakistan's budget is making nutritious food unaffordable. Dawn NewsKit Publishing Platform.

For now, 2-day conference on Pakistan' s nutrition crisis begins in Islamabad remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.