PESHAWAR, Aug 10: NWFP Minister for Health Dr Mehar Taj Roghani has said we cannot succeed to control the high growth of population in the country until each person realizes the effects of increasing population ratio.

She was speaking at a convention on poverty, population and development on the eve of World Population Day 2002, organized by NWFP Population Welfare Department in collaboration of United Nation Population Fund UNFPA at a local hotel Peshawar, on Saturday.

She said growing population was the main cause of increasing poverty which created frustration in society, crimes and pressure on education, health and communication infrastructure, she added.

The minister said after completion more than 30 years of the department, it could not achieve the desired goal. She said it was high time that we should realize the situation and spread the message and educate the people at their doorsteps regarding the hazards of population growth.

She said not only the government but all the people including religious leaders should actively participate in  the plan so that the population growth rate could be brought down to a considerable level.

UN representative, delivered the messages of UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan and UNFPA executive director Thoraya Ahmad Obaid also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, the provincial minister gave away   certificates to the outstanding officials of the department.

Adviser to governor, Dr Robina Gilani, secretary of population welfare, Attaullah Khan and Nazim-i-Aala Peshawar, Azam Afridi were also present.