Pakistan, May 19 -- Pakistan's food import bill has jumped to nearly $7 billion in just 10 months of this fiscal year. This is an increase from $6.82 billion last year. The rise is mostly due to more imports of palm oil, tea, pulses, sugar, and soya bean oil. But even as more food is brought into the country, many poor families still struggle to find enough to eat.

Palm oil remains the top food import, costing the country $2.87 billion, almost 25pc more than last year. Pulses, such as lentils and beans, were imported for $917 million, a 33pc rise. Soya bean oil imports went up by a shocking 140pc. Yet, basic food like milk and cream for infants also saw a rise in imports, even after new taxes.

Ironically, while imports are increasing, f...