Amid bankruptcy-like situation, Pakistan accused of sending expired relief package to Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s recent humanitarian assistance to flood-affected Sri Lanka has drawn criticism after some of the dispatched food packets were found to be past their expiry date.

The shipment was sent as part of relief efforts following severe flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The Pakistan High Commission initially shared an X post praising the delivery and highlighting Pakistan’s solidarity with Sri Lanka. The post has since been deleted.

Images circulating on social media showed that several items in the consignment, including food packets and medicines, were marked with expiry dates from 2024. Online users expressed concern over the oversight, questioning the quality control of the relief materials.

Pakistan had earlier announced that its National Disaster Management Authority had sent 100 tonnes of essential supplies, along with an army urban search and rescue team. 

The Pakistan Navy ship Saif transported the items and handed them over to Sri Lankan authorities, according to Radio Pakistan.

This is not the first time Pakistan’s aid shipments have come under scrutiny. In 2015, a relief consignment sent to Nepal drew criticism for including inappropriate food items.

So far, neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka has issued an official statement addressing the expired supplies.