LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA), in collaboration with the Labour and Human Resources Department, has launched Phase-II of the School Meal Programme to provide nutritious food to 14,100 students of 36 schools across Punjab.
The programme was inaugurated at the Worker Welfare Primary School, Nishtar Town, by Provincial Minister Khawaja Muhammad Mansha Ullah Butt and PFA Director General Asim Javaid.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that children’s good health ensures a bright future and termed the programme essential to address nutrition challenges.
PFA DG Asim Javaid said the initiative, launched in line with the chief minister’s vision, will provide nutritious meals for three months to students of 30 government primary schools and six worker welfare schools. He stressed that malnutrition hinders children’s potential and requires timely intervention.
He added that awareness on balanced diets will be promoted among 40 million students across Punjab, while proposals are under consideration to include 73 additional labour welfare schools. Nutrition coordination committees are also being formed to ensure effective monitoring.
Citing the National Nutritional Survey, he said 40 percent of children face stunting and 30 percent are under-height, calling for immediate collective action. The programme follows the success of the ‘Eat Safe Kids’ campaign and is being expanded from Lahore to Rajanpur.