Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah has rejected concerns about Pakistan’s position on the Global Hunger Index 2026, describing criticism based on the findings as “propaganda.” His remarks have drawn attention to the gap between his assessment of hunger in Pakistan and the figures reported by the index.
Sanaullah made the comments while responding to questions about Pakistan’s ranking among countries assessed for hunger. Pakistan ranked 106th out of 122 countries, while India ranked 100th. However, the adviser questioned whether the report accurately reflected the situation on the ground.
Rana Sanaullah Calls Hunger Index Findings ‘Propaganda’
Sanaullah urged Pakistanis not to accept the hunger report’s findings without question. He pointed to what he described as the country’s strong tradition of helping people facing hardship.
“My request is that you should not fall prey to this propaganda,” Sanaullah said, highlighting the tendency among Pakistanis to support those in need.
He also questioned whether people regularly slept hungry or faced extreme deprivation on the streets of Pakistani cities. To support his argument, he compared the situation with conditions he said existed in India.
“Look at India, for instance — there are certain cities where people sleep on footpaths,” he said.
The prime minister’s adviser maintained that his observations did not support the report’s portrayal of hunger in Pakistan.
“Therefore, in Pakistan, as far as my observation goes, by the grace of Allah, no one sleeps hungry, and no one sleeps out on footpaths and streets,” Sanaullah maintained.
He further argued that using such reports to promote what he called propaganda was “entirely inappropriate”.
What Does the Global Hunger Index 2026 Say About Pakistan?
The Global Hunger Index 2026 presents a different picture of Pakistan’s food security situation. The country recorded a score of 25.5, placing it in the “serious” hunger category.
Pakistan ranked 106th among 122 countries assessed in the index. Moreover, its reported hunger level was higher than in 2018, according to the available data.
The ranking places Pakistan among the countries facing significant challenges related to undernutrition and child health. However, the index’s findings reflect specific indicators rather than a direct count of people sleeping hungry.
Pakistan’s Hunger Index: What the Figures Reveal
The reported figures highlight several nutritional challenges affecting Pakistan’s population, particularly young children.
According to the 2026 index, the key indicators include:
- Hunger index score: Pakistan recorded 25.5 points, placing it in the serious category.
- Global ranking: The country ranked 106th among 122 countries.
- Undernourishment: An estimated 16.1% of Pakistan’s population faces undernourishment.
- Child stunting: Around 33.6% of children under five experience stunted growth.
- Child wasting: Approximately 9.8% of children under five suffer from wasting.
These indicators measure different aspects of hunger and malnutrition. Undernourishment reflects insufficient dietary energy, while stunting indicates impaired growth associated with prolonged nutritional deficiencies. Meanwhile, wasting reflects low weight relative to height and often signals acute malnutrition.
Together, the figures highlight concerns that extend beyond whether people sleep hungry on streets. They also point to nutritional deficiencies that may affect children’s growth and overall health.
Where Does Pakistan Stand in South Asia?
Pakistan has the second-highest level of hunger in South Asia, according to the 2026 Global Hunger Index. Afghanistan ranks below Pakistan in the regional comparison.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s position behind India in the global rankings has renewed attention to the region’s differing food security challenges. However, rankings alone do not explain the circumstances behind each country’s results.
The figures instead provide a comparative assessment of hunger and nutrition indicators across countries. They also highlight the importance of examining undernourishment and child malnutrition alongside broader observations about living conditions.
Why the Hunger Index Data Needs Context
The figures underpinning the Global Hunger Index largely do not cover 2026 itself. They also do not fully capture the potential fallout from the Middle East conflict.
Therefore, the index should not be interpreted as a real-time measurement of every household’s circumstances. Nevertheless, its reported indicators provide information about longer-term nutritional challenges.
Sanaullah’s remarks focus on his personal observations and Pakistan’s tradition of helping people in need. In contrast, the index evaluates hunger through defined statistical indicators, including undernourishment and child malnutrition.
The debate ultimately highlights two different ways of assessing hunger in Pakistan. While the adviser has questioned the report’s portrayal, the index’s figures continue to raise concerns about food security and nutrition across the country.
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