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From waste to worth
Food waste is a silent crisis that deserves more attention than it currently receives. It’s unsettling to witness how much food goes to waste in restaurants every day, particularly when so many in our country struggle with hunger and malnutrition. As someone who has seen the impact of poverty up close, I find it difficult to reconcile this reality with the staggering statistic that nearly 36 million tons of food are wasted annually in Pakistan. The environmental consequences are severe, from unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions to the depletion of valuable resources, all of which could be mitigated if we simply used what we already have more wisely.
It’s clear that food waste is not just a missed opportunity to feed those in need. It’s a broader societal failure that reflects poorly on our priorities. While we often talk about inequality in many contexts, from education to healthcare, we rarely discuss how food waste is yet another form of inequality—one that underscores our disregard for the resources we waste and the people we fail to serve.
That’s why it’s encouraging to see some businesses addressing food waste in practical ways by redistributing leftover food to those in need. This simple yet effective approach takes place daily after 10:00 pm, which demonstrates how even small actions can have a significant impact. It highlights that tackling food waste doesn’t require grand gestures but can start with thoughtful initiatives that provide immediate relief to the less fortunate. If more businesses and individuals adopted such practices, we could make meaningful progress in combating food waste while also addressing hunger in our communities. Before we can solve broader societal issues, we must first confront the everyday injustices right in front of us.
BATOOL MUFTI
Islamabad
Toxic air threat
Air pollution in the country has reached toxic levels and poses an outright threat to people’s lives. According to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Annual Update for 2024, virtually the entire population of Pakistan breathes air that doesn’t meet its own national air quality standards. The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standard is set at 15 micrograms per cubic meter in Pakistan, but our actual PM2.5 concentration is estimated to be around 40 µg/m³. Due to these high levels of air pollution, the AQLI report claims that if Pakistan could simply meet its own air standards, it could raise people’s life expectancy by 2.3 years. Meeting the WHO air pollution guidelines would result in an even greater rise in life expectancy by 3.3 years. It is a critical situation requiring careful action, as our air is so polluted that it is actually shortening the lives of the people.
In Pakistan, air pollution is now a greater threat to life than drinking and even diseases like HIV/AIDS. Given that we all breathe the same air, there is simply no way to escape this problem regardless of class or socioeconomic status. As such, the poorest people in more developed countries often have more breathable air than the richest Pakistanis.
This issue is not unique to Pakistan. Nations like India and Pakistan in South Asia face similar problems. The use of substandard fuels such as wood, the burning of agricultural and other waste, and the lack of enforcement of fuel standards must be addressed at the local level by individual countries. Accelerating the use of emissions-free renewable energy will also be crucial. Failure to take such steps will only cost the people of Pakistan and the region overall years of life they could have otherwise enjoyed.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
SCO under threat
The recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan are deeply alarming. Despite numerous operations, why is terrorism resurging in the country? Our soldiers are toiling tirelessly, sacrificing their lives day and night at the borders to protect us. Yet, people are losing their lives in deadly terrorist attacks. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant activity since 2021, following the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan, with most attacks occurring in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and south-western Balochistan, both of which border Afghanistan.
It is imperative to devise new strategies to eradicate terrorism from the country and eliminate these threats. This year, Pakistan is hosting the SCO summit, and if these attacks continue, they could damage the country’s reputation and pose a serious threat to national security. The sudden rise in these horrific incidents could also create international concerns. Addressing this challenge with an effective strategy is crucial for the country’s prosperity.
AREEBA ALTAF
Larkana
