Page 50 - CMA Journal (Mar-Apr 2026)

Food security is not only a Pakistani issue, it is a global issue world stands at a threshold, and what we do now will be
that requires international cooperation and countries remembered in the future. When systems fail, numbers are
working together to cope with the problem. We are all part of not hurt, people are hurt. If we hesitate to resolve today's
it and need to support each other to achieve adequate food issues, they may become irresolvable.
availability. It is important to work collectively to solve the
Hunger is not just a crisis; it is a consequence. Consequences
issue of food security so that no person is deprived of food in
do not wait for anyone.
this world. To uplift communities at large, we must always
take small steps. For large cities of Pakistan such as Karachi The greatest danger that we will encounter will not be that
and Lahore, it is important that people reduce food wastage we will run out of food, but that we will do nothing about it
by being mindful while buying and using goods. Also, when it matters. The sheer quantity of food available in this
support for local food producers by purchasing locally world to feed its population is astounding. The question is:
grown food should be promoted. Such steps, taken will it? Because when it all goes wrong, it is not markets that
individually, may seem small, but if adopted by the whole fail, it is lives that fail.
population simultaneously, they would have a signi cant
impact on the system. History will judge us not on the fact that we owned it, but on
whether we chose to use it when everything that we
It is not only an issue that is subject to policy changes, it is an possessed was being taken.
issue faced daily by thousands, even millions globally. Health
pandemics, war, climate instability, and nancial hardship all
cumulatively affect families' ability to source the food they
require to live. However, it does not require predicting all
potential eventualities. We can work to ensure systems
remain robust, innovation can be implemented, and
cooperation across communities and borders remains
strong. Food security is not merely about ensuring
individuals do not starve, it is about implementing resilient,
responsive, and equitable food systems. At its heart,
ensuring availability of food is not a luxury, it is a necessity of
existence. We must ensure our systems are resilient and
capable of responding to all circumstances and ensuring
About the Author: Ms. Humaira Kanwal is an Associate Member
access to food needed for survival. This can be done with
of ICMA, working as Senior Accounts Manager at Al Haram Taka,
collective action.
UAE. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Manager Accounts at Al
Muhairy Group, Abu Dhabi. She possesses professional experience
It is not just about food or money that we are talking about, it
in accounting, financial management, and business operations,
is about lives. We need to resolve today's problems, with expertise in handling financial reporting, accounts
otherwise they become tomorrow's disasters. The whole management, and organizational financial processes.
ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Mar-Apr 2026 48