The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Saturday said inflation and growing insecurity of necessities is increasing instability in Pakistan. It said people had been killed and injured in stampedes at sites distributing free flour under a government-backed scheme to help families struggling with soaring costs of basic staples. Thousands of bags of flour had also been looted from trucks and distribution points by people, which indicates the desperation among the masses, said Dr Hanif Mughal, SVP of PEW.

He added that the country is cash-strapped, inflation is very high, forex reserves are insufficient, and currency is depreciating, which is a perfect recipe for civil disorder. 

He noted that floods had exacerbated the food crisis as they destroyed large swathes of crops while affected people were still waiting for any meaningful support from the government.

He added that an estimated 800,000 hectares of agricultural land were wiped out, driving up food prices in the country, which is already struggling with inflation. 

Hanif Mughal said that more than 3.4 million children face chronic hunger, while malnutrition among the poor has become more prevalent nationwide.

Pakistan is facing a serious food and debt crisis, and water stress has become widespread, impacting women and girls responsible for water collection.  

Hanif Mughal, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Shadbad, said Pakistan is facing problems due to corruption, incompetence, and endless elitism. At the same time, Bangladesh has moved 13 notches up to the 75th position among 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index, surpassing its neighbours India and Pakistan.