KARACHI: The Population Research Centre (PRC), Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi hosted its first research conference in collaboration with the School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS), IBA in Karachi.

The theme of the conference was ‘emerging demographic challenges’. The sub-themes for the conference were: fertility behaviour / fertility planning, maternal and child health, food insecurity, climate change and population, and identity, ethnicity and social inclusion.

The conference brought together researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to a common platform to discuss Pakistan’s population problems and consider their solutions in the light of emerging contexts.

The inaugural session was presided over by First Lady Samina Arif Alvi. The keynote speaker was Prof Dr Sameen Siddiqi, the chair department of community health sciences, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

The first panel discussion — ‘The Challenges of Fertility Planning in Pakistan: An Exploration of Societal, Cultural, and Policy Perspectives —was focused on the various challenges that Pakistani individuals and couples face when it comes to planning their fertility matters.

The panellists explored the societal and cultural pressures that influence fertility decisions, as well as the policy and infrastructure barriers that exist.

The second panel — ‘Addressing Maternal and Child Health Issues in Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities’ — discussed challenges and opportunities for improving maternal and child health in Pakistan, including limited healthcare access, cultural norms, poverty, and safe family planning mechanisms.

Experts explored solutions such as increasing healthcare access, improving nutrition, promoting awareness for family planning and investing in education and infrastructure.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2023