Photos shared on X (formerly Twitter) have led to allegations that food packages Pakistan sent to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka were past their expiry dates. The images, which show yellow relief packets bearing Pakistani and Sri Lankan flags, include a printed date that some users read as “10/2024.” Other commenters interpreted packaging markings as dating from October 2022 and argued the items were therefore expired.
Several social media users criticized the shipment as “expired food as flood relief” and repeated similar concerns. The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka had earlier posted photos of the consignment, saying it contained water, milk and biscuits to help families affected by the cyclone and expressing solidarity with Sri Lanka.
The social media activity prompted wider scrutiny, with some users alleging parts of the shipment had passed their expiry dates. As of now, Pakistani officials have not publicly explained whether dates were misread, misprinted, or applied only to particular items, and Sri Lankan authorities have not confirmed whether any expired goods were distributed or held back. The claims circulating online therefore remain unverified.
