Inclusion of Right to Food and Nutrition Security as a Fundamental Right in the Constitution of Pakistan
Basic Right Food Nutrition Security
SUN Civil Society Alliance (CSA), Pakistan
| Verification status | Find out more |
|---|---|
| NAF SMARTness index | Lower moderate Find out more |
| Progress status | In progress See progress details |
| Targeted location | National - No Additional Specification |
| Targeted population | No population group is targeted |
| Duration | January 2021 - December 2030 |
Goal action plan
Nutrition and Food Security is recognized as a human right in multiple International Declarations and
Treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); and the
Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the
Context of National Food Security.
The constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan only recognizes Food security as a directive principle of state policy under article 381, and not as a Fundamental Right of the People of Pakistan. Over the course of the last two decades, considerable constitutional reforms have been focused by the respective Governments of Pakistan. Where the focus of the amendments and reforms has been on improving the overall governance, management of resources, improving the status of women, and reforming other areas that effect human development, legislators have not addressed the issue of nutrition and food security within the legal framework in Pakistan.
The SUNCSA Pakistan under the leadership of the Government of Pakistan has been instrumental in strengthening the overall legislative environment of food and nutrition related laws; development of national and provincial policy frameworks, networking and linkages between academics, civil society, media, and business fraternities; formation of district malnutrition addressing committees (DMACs), amongst others.
SUNCSA Pakistan has already been advocating at multiple levels; policy & decision makers, media & public, to move the FNS right from directive principle of policy to fundamental right in the Constitution of Pakistan and made notice worthy achievements in this regard. SUNCSA has successfully mobilized more than 30 parliamentarians from all political parties who are committed to provide legislative support for constitutional amendment.
SUNCSA will closely follow and advocate with national policy makers to form a special committee on Nutrition be formed in National Assembly of Pakistan. SUNCSA will provide technical support to the committee for finalizing operational definition of food and nutrition security, that will be included in the constitutional amendment.The committee will focus to raise awareness and capacity of parliamentarians for multisectoral nutrition sensitive policy and legislation, ensuring implementation of nutrition related policies and programs and take lead for an amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan to make food and nutrition security a fundamental right.
Progress
Indicator
| Primary indicator | Food Security Is Not A Fundamental Constitutional Right |
|---|---|
| Indicator monitor | SUNCSA Pakistan track its progress against the set targets periodically through its internal M & E system while every five years, an external review is done to consolidate its achievements and track progress and challenges. On Yearly basis, the progress is reported to global SUN Movement via SUN Annual Assessment where all relevant country stakeholders participate, and the assessment is done purely with the consultative process. In addition, Multi-stakeholder Platform in the country hosted by National SUN Secretariat also review SUN Network's progress on quarterly basis |
Reports
| Stage | Measurement Date | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | 2021 | Food security is not a fundamental constitutional right | |
| Progress report | December 2023 | SUN CSA embarked on an extensive advocacy campaign to establish Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) as a fundamental constitutional right in Pakistan. Letters and supporting documents advocating for a constitutional amendment were successfully delivered to all national and provincial parliamentarians. Subsequently, a consultative meeting with parliamentarians from various nutrition-related subcommittees in the Parliamentary Taskforce for SDGs garnered robust bipartisan support. In response, the Taskforce's convener committed to forming a dedicated committee focused on nutrition, aimed at initiating discussions to enshrine FNS as a constitutional right and ensuring sustained prioritisation of nutrition at the policy level. However, with a change in government in 2022, there were subsequent changes within the SDGs Parliamentary Taskforce, including the appointment of a new convener. SUN CSA promptly reengaged, conducting orientation sessions and small-group meetings with the new convener and taskforce members to reinforce support for the agenda. The newly appointed convener of the SDGs Parliamentary Taskforce expressed strong support and agreed to introduce a motion in the National Assembly of Pakistan. Unfortunately, with the transition to a caretaker government in August 2023, further engagement was paused. With the formation of a new government in March-April 2024, SUN CSA Pakistan developed a strategic plan to resume advocacy efforts and advance the agenda for FNS recognition. |
In progress
The report indicates progress towards the target, and the end date had not been reached at the time of progress assessment.
|
| Target | December 2030 | Nutrition and food security made fundamental constitutional right |
Nutrition Action Classification
Enabling
- Financial
- Operational
- Leadership and governance
- Research monitoring and data
Policy
- Food environment
- Food supply chain
- Consumer knowledge
- Nutrition care services
Impact
- Undernutrition
- Diet
- Obesity and diet-related NCDs
- Food and nutrition security
