ISLAMABAD: National Health Services (NHS) Minister Abdul Qadir Patel on Monday said uncontrolled population increase puts pressure on the already fragile health and education sectors besides affecting climate change.

He was speaking at an Ulema Conference, arranged by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in collaboration with the Council of Islamic Ideology.

The conference has brought together renowned religious scholars from various schools of thought.

The health minister, who was the chief guest, said: “Though previous governments have made efforts to control population, we have not been able to achieve our goals. We must strive to work on this,” he said.

Mr Patel said role of ulema has a very important role in controlling unabated growth of population through awareness campaign and appreciated the efforts of the population programme wing for taking ulema on board.

In addition, he emphasised that the Ulema play and integral role in the social fabric of the society. Furthermore, he stressed upon the need of replicating these efforts on a provincial level.

According to a statement issued by NHS ministry, for the operationalisation and implementation of CCI-recommendations, a population action plan in consultation with the provinces and other stakeholders was prepared by the ministry of health and approved by the Federal Task Force on Population.

The action plan consists of a set of interventions in eight focused areas including governance and accountability, finances, legislation, advocacy and communications, curriculum and training, contraceptive commodity security and involving Ulema.

“These areas were identified while keeping in view the population situation in Pakistan, the challenges faced and the global best practices and initiatives which are likely to yield tangible results and help in addressing matters relating to rapid population growth rate, low contraceptive prevalence, high fertility and high mortality rates,” read the press release.

Since population is a devolved subject to the provinces, most of the activities of the Action Plan are to be carried out by the provincial governments.

Earlier, the health minster said that his ministry was working with the provincial and regional governments for further involvement of Ulema/Khateebs for propagating small family norms in family under the national narrative on population.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2022