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Karachi: Maulana Muhammad Bashir Farooq Qadri, founder and chairman of Saylani Welfare International Trust, has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise of malnutrition in Pakistan. Despite being an agricultural nation, the country continues to struggle with millions of families unable to meet their basic nutritional needs.

This issue was brought to light by a report presented by the Ministry of National Health Services during the National Assembly's Question Hour. The report revealed that hepatitis claims around 48,000 lives each year, and over half of the country's children and adolescent girls suffer from deficiencies in essential nutrients. Maulana Bashir Farooq highlighted a report from his organization, which states that his Trust provides nutrient-rich meals to approximately 200,000 people daily through its nationwide Dastarkhwan program.

Furthermore, they distribute over 152 metric tons of fresh meat monthly, benefiting over 1.221 million people. Saylani also provides nutritious meals to schoolchildren in underprivileged areas through its School Meal Program. While acknowledging that these efforts are a drop in the bucket compared to the vast nutritional needs of the nation, Maulana Farooq emphasized that they believe it is their religious, moral, and national duty to aid those struggling to obtain adequate nourishment.

He called upon financially capable individuals, industrialists, business leaders, traders, and philanthropists throughout Pakistan to contribute however much they can to help ensure deserving families have access to nutritious food.