The recent emergence and presence of counterfeit dairy products on the shelves of big stores is an outrageous attack on Pakistan’s dairy industry. While there are many damaging effects on the industry, the gravest of concerns to be addressed here is the health of the public. The questionable quality of the smuggled products can cause harmful, and sometimes fatal, consequences for the unsuspecting buyer. Then why are consumers buying counterfeits? Given the current environment of economic uncertainty and the real threat of significant declines in income, many consumers are now unable to purchase branded products. Subsequently, buying cheap counterfeit products…
Author: Sara Danial
Food must make us feel good. And by making healthier and more mindful choices, food becomes a microcosm of society and the current social disorders — climate crises, lifestyle, culture, and economics. In Pakistan, food is a metaphor for life itself — from the youthful exuberance, energy, and innovation of a young nation, to making correct health choices, aspects of food security, adapting to global warming, impacting the economy, and how it will become more sustainable for today and future generations. As an agricultural heartland, one would wonder if Pakistan would be food-secure. Alas, this is far from it. Unprecedented…
Pakistan’s economy is anticipated to experience a slump of 3.5 percent in fiscal year (FY) 2023 (ending 30 June 2023) as devastating floods, and restrictive monetary policies continue to put pressure on the economy. However, amid critical efforts to tackle substantial fiscal and external imbalances, the growth in FY2022 is expected to have reached 6.0 percent, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reports, recently. According to the Asian Development Outlook 2022 Update, gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Pakistan in FY2022 was driven by higher private consumption as it witnessed an expansion in agriculture, services, and industry— especially large-scale manufacturing. But…