KARACHI: The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, in collaboration with UNICEF and Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), organized a seminar to mark World Breastfeeding Week 2025. The event gathered academia, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and civil society representatives to highlight the urgent need to strengthen breastfeeding practices in Pakistan.
The seminar opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Lubna Naz, Director, IBA-CBER, followed by an inaugural address from Ms. Nida Khuhro, Member of Parliament, Government of Sindh. Ms. Khuhro emphasized the importance of breastfeeding for maternal and child health and underlined the provincial government’s efforts to implement and promote breastfeeding laws. She also engaged directly with participants during an interactive session.
Speakers reiterated that breastfeeding is a cornerstone of child survival, maternal well-being, and economic sustainability. Dr. Sumaira Nasim, Public Health Nutritionist and Assistant Professor at DUHS, spoke about the health and financial benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Naz featured Dr. Khalid Shafi (DUHS), Ms. Zehra Khan (Women’s Rights Activist), Dr. Ayesha Khalid (Aga Khan University), and Mr. Naveed Bhutto (Government of Sindh, Technical Advisor on Nutrition). Panelists stressed behavioral change and awareness not only among mothers but also within families — particularly husbands, in-laws, and healthcare professionals. They also examined breastfeeding laws and collectively discouraged the use of formula milk, reaffirming breast milk as the safest source of infant nutrition.
Despite progress, challenges remain. Only 45% of infants in Pakistan are exclusively breastfed, and the country has just 500 registered nutritionists to serve a population of over 251 million. These gaps underscore the pressing need for advocacy and stronger support systems.
The seminar concluded with a call for multi-sectoral collaboration among government, academia, healthcare institutions, and civil society to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding for a healthier future for mothers and children in Pakistan.
