ACCORDING to the recent census, Pakistan’s population is about 220 million. If we try to find out the major reason for of most of the country’s woes, we can easily single out the sheer number of people.

Over population has resulted in poor health and education facilities in the country. During the 1951 census West Pakistan’s population was 42m while that of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was 66m.

Today our population has reached 220 million while that of Bangladesh is 163m. This difference is just because of education and women empowerment in BD. Globally we stand second last as regards gender equality. We need to learn from China and Bangladesh about how to control the galloping population.

Khaliqdad Gara
Sargodha

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2019

Opinion

Four hundred seats?

Four hundred seats?

The mix of divisive cultural politics and grow­th-oriented economics that feeds Hindu middle-class ambition and provides targeted welfare are key ingredients in the BJP’s political trajectory.

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.