Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain has stressed the need to protect children, women and other vulnerable groups from malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

He said this during a meeting with Dr. Irfan Ullah, Deputy Country Director of Nutrition International Pakistan, in Islamabad today.

The meeting reviewed ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies, improving maternal and child nutrition and expanding access to fortified staple foods across Pakistan.

The participants discussed the importance of strengthening large-scale food fortification, particularly of salt, wheat flour and edible oil, as a cost-effective means of reaching large segments of the population.

The Minister appreciated Nutrition International's continued technical support.

He highlighted the need to further strengthen wheat flour fortification, including effective implementation of relevant legislation and regulations at the provincial level.

He directed relevant officials to maintain close coordination with development partners and provincial authorities to ensure that nutrition and food fortification initiatives translate into tangible improvements in public health and food security.