QUETTA, Oct 27: The media should play its vital role in removing the misconception regarding family planning programme in the rural areas of the country and create awareness among the people of its overall positive impact on society.

Organized by the Family Planning Association of Pakistan (FPAP), the participants of a one-day media workshop expressed these views here on Sunday.

A large number of journalists from print and electronic media, representatives of NGOs and doctors attended the workshop.

The participants were of the view that the idea of a healthy society be promoted, and in this context a sound generation could deliver goods to the nation in a better way and play an important role in future socio-economic development of the country.

They called upon the government and the NGOs to give priority to education in this regard as it was very important for the development of any society.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Ghiasuddin, head of the Social Work Department, University of Balochistan, underlined the need for paying special attention to women education in order to control the growing population of the country.

He said: “The reason behind our growing population is the lack of education. Pakistan is the sixth largest populated country in the world. Its population would be doubled in the next 30 years if current growth rate continued.”

He further said: “The economic and social developments are directly linked with education. We can create awareness about family planning among people only by education.”

The professor stressed the need for the media to play an effective role in this regard and tell the people about the benefits of the family planning and smaller family unit.

Earlier, Regional Director of the FPAP, Dr Hassan Mehdi Zaidi, highlighting the aims and objectives of the association and its performance, said it was working in various parts of the province with respect to family planning programmes and creating awareness about mothers’ health besides providing them latest health facilities.

He said women were being informed about family planning through community health programmes in Quetta, Pishin, Mastung and Kachhi.

Dr Shireen Syed of the FPAP elaborated the concept of the reproductive health. She also informed the media persons about the components of rural health, services package, consulting and family planning means in details.

Zahir Kasi and Saima Ambareen of the FPAP also spoke on the occasion.