KARACHI: METRO, the leading international wholesale company with food and non-food assortments, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Food Fortification Programme to help eradicate malnutrition in Pakistan. The MoU was inked between Mr. Stuart King, FFP Team Leader and Mr. Pervaiz Akhtar, Director Corporate Affairs METRO Pakistan, representing their respective organizations, in presence of Mr. Suhail Khawaja Additional Commissioner Lahore, Parliamentarians, and other dignitaries.
Hunger and Nutrition is a major issue all over the world especially in Pakistan. According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), with a population of more than 200 million, approximately 60 percent of the population is still facing food insecurity in spite the fact that Pakistan has made gains becoming a food surplus country, and a major producer of wheat.
METRO globally, and in Pakistan, is actively contributing towards Sustainable Development Goals particularly SDG #2, that is about, End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Keeping this in mind METRO Pakistan is collaborating with Food Fortification Program (FFP) to provide support in the eradication of malnutrition through its wholesale networks.
Expressing his views; Mr. Stuart King, Team Leader FFP, said; “The continuous market availability of fortified wheat flour and oil is very important for the success of food fortification programmes and also a key factor to ensure access of fortified wheat flour and edible oil for the general public. By this collaboration with METRO we will get the right mileage”.
Commenting on the participation, Mr. Pervaiz Akhtar, Director Corporate Affairs METRO Pakistan, said “METRO Pakistan centres are widely recognized in terms of quality and affordability, and are catering to over 50,000 customers visiting daily at 9 wholesale/retail centers across Pakistan. Thus, METRO can play an important role by providing support with the point of sale, marketing, and procurement of fortified wheat flour, maida, fine flour. Edible oil, and ghee through its stores in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Faisalabad.”
Presenting his views, Muhammad Suhail Khawaja, the Additional Commissioner Lahore, said “Realistically, we as a nation should realize micronutrient malnutrition a challenge, for tackling this challenge, Pakistan as a wheat growing country can easily tackle micronutrient malnutrition through mandatory wheat flour fortification. I would like to say a big thank to METRO Pakistan, Food Fortification Programme team, and the National Fortification Alliance for their efforts in eradication of malnutrition.”
The overall objective of this arrangement is to improve public health through eradication of malnutrition from Pakistan that will have long term effect on the future population. Says in press release
