Sindh launches 'school meal program' to combat child malnutrition

Karachi: The Sindh government has taken a revolutionary step by launching the "School Meal Program" to provide free meals to children in government schools located in underprivileged areas.

The program was inaugurated by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah at Government Boys Primary School Murad Memon, where he personally served food to the children to kick off the initiative.

This program has been launched through a collaboration between the Sindh Education Department and the well-known charitable organization Allah Wale Trust. In the first phase, more than 70,000 children from various underdeveloped regions of the province will be provided with one free and balanced meal daily.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said that a child’s academic performance is directly linked to their nutritional status. He emphasized that nutritional deficiencies affect children's learning abilities, and through the School Meal Program, the government aims to meet their nutritional needs.

He also highlighted the alarming poverty situation in the country, stating that Pakistan is among the ten poorest countries in the world, with 42% of the population living below the poverty line. In such circumstances, the condition of our children demands even greater attention.

During the inaugural ceremony, it was shared that over 700 students at Government Boys Primary School Murad Memon are being provided free meals daily. The program will be expanded to other districts and schools in the future to ensure that more deserving children can benefit from this facility.

Shahid Lone, head of Allah Wale Trust, stated that a balanced diet is essential for the healthy growth and education of children. He welcomed this partnership and expressed hope that the program would become a source of positive change in society.