The Pakistani High Commission has strongly rejected claims that it sent expired food to flood-affected people in Sri Lanka.
The Commission in Colombo clarified that the allegations circulating on social media and some Indian news outlets are false.
Spokesperson for the High Commission Adeel Sattar said, “The yellow bags being discussed did not contain rice.”
He added, “The aid included essential items such as clean drinking water, biscuits, and milk. These items were purchased in Colombo and packed in bags brought from Pakistan.”
Sattar confirmed that the Pakistan Navy team, already in Sri Lanka for scheduled joint exercises, helped distribute the relief materials, while naval ships and helicopters also took part in the relief operations.
In recent days, Indian media and social media users claimed that Pakistan sent expired food to Sri Lanka.
These posts suggested that the food bags showed an expiry date of 2024 and accused Pakistan of sending substandard aid. Some posts also referenced Pakistan’s previous aid during the 2022 earthquake in Afghanistan, questioning the quality of relief provided.
Sri Lanka is currently facing one of the worst natural disasters in recent history. The country was hit by Cyclone Dethuwa last week, causing heavy rains and widespread flooding.
So far, at least 460 people have died, hundreds are missing, and more than 30,000 homes have been destroyed. The floods have affected over one million people, and the Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency.
Pakistan has sent over 200 tons of relief materials to Sri Lanka via sea and dispatched special rescue teams. Pakistani Navy personnel are actively assisting in remote areas, delivering aid by air drops and direct distribution.