Islamabad and the United Nations World Food Programme are moving forward on a joint effort to reshape how Pakistan approaches hunger, nutrition, and agricultural resilience. A meeting between Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and WFP Country Director Anita Hirsch formalized plans to deepen collaboration on a new National Food Security Policy. Main Developments Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination across several areas: post-harvest management, grain storage, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food fortification, and digital tools for resilient food systems. The minister sought WFP's technical assistance to integrate nutrition, digital innovation, and international best practices into the policy framework. Ms. Hirsch welcomed the initiative and pledged WFP's full technical support, highlighting the agency's expertise in grain storage, supply chain optimization, and nutrition programs. The two parties also committed to closer collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and other development partners. Read also: Why Pakistan's Ventilator Crisis Persists Beyond Cost Background Pakistan and the WFP have a longstanding partnership focused on humanitarian assistance, nutrition, and food security. The WFP has supported Pakistan through the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, as well as resilience-building and emergency response initiatives. The government has already begun work on a comprehensive National Food Security Policy built on a food systems approach. Why It Matters Food insecurity remains a pressing challenge in Pakistan, with millions facing inadequate nutrition. The new policy aims to address systemic issues—from inefficient grain storage to limited nutrition-sensitive agriculture—that undermine both food availability and public health. Strengthening this framework is critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. The partnership also signals a shift toward data-driven, digitally enabled solutions, which could improve how food aid is delivered and how agricultural supply chains are managed in a country vulnerable to climate shocks. What's Next The minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to working closely with WFP to advance national food security priorities and improve nutrition outcomes. The technical assistance from WFP will feed into the ongoing policy formulation process, with both sides expected to maintain regular coordination to finalize and implement the framework.