Did Pakistan send expired food aid to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka? Images spark row

A controversy erupted on Tuesday after photos surfaced on social media claiming that Pakistan had sent expired food items as part of its humanitarian aid to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka.

The photos, shared widely on X, showed yellow aid packets bearing Pakistani and Sri Lankan flags, with some users highlighting what appeared to be an expiry date of October 2024 printed on the packaging.

One user wrote, “Expired food as flood relief. That’s Pakistan’s version of ‘humanitarian aid’. Packed 10/2022. Expired 10/2024.” Another said, “Pakistan’s ‘aid’ to Sri Lanka turns out to be expired food supplies.”

The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka had earlier posted photographs of the relief consignment, showing that the shipment included water, milk and biscuits to support families affected by the recent cyclone.

However, the images quickly drew scrutiny, with several users alleging that some of the packets had crossed their expiry date.

There was no statement from Paksitani authorities on the claims or on whether the expiry dates had been misread, were misprinted, or applied only to specific items. Sri Lankan authorities also did not officially confirm whether any expired goods had been distributed or withheld.