ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday said that population growth in Pakistan has reached an alarming level, among the highest in the world.

He was speaking to participants of an event, held in connection with World Population Day 2025, which brought together key stakeholders including federal ministers, parliamentarians, religious scholars, development partners and provincial representatives.

He said the population growth was a national issue and that was why all political parties had been invited to the event.

The minister highlighted the wide-ranging consequences of the demographic challenge, stating that over 25 million children were currently out of school due to the pressure of population. He said patients overcrowding at the government hospitals gave a look of public rallies. Criticising the existing healthcare priorities, he said that the health system in Pakistan was more focused on treatment rather than prevention.

He said that the prime minister had established a National Task Force to address the population crisis. He concluded his speech by emphasising that every segment of society must play its role in controlling population growth.

Mufti Zubair, offering a religious perspective, said islam teaches responsible family planning. He cited scholarly consensus (fatwas) supporting population management to protect the health and well-being of families, especially mothers and children.

Addressing the macroeconomic implications, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, highlighted how unchecked population growth strained national resources, social infrastructure, and economic stability.

He stressed the need for prioritising human development in fiscal planning and affirmed the government’s commitment to incorporating population-related allocations in future budgetary frameworks.

In a key policy intervention, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal proposed to reform the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to reflect demographic realities at the provincial and district levels.

He emphasised the importance of investing in female education, creating economic opportunities for young women, and addressing the drivers of high fertility rates.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf commended the Ministry for bringing the issue to the forefront of national discourse. He called for multi-party consensus and legislative action to ensure population remains central to Pakistan’s development agenda.

Senior political figure Khursheed Shah emphasised the correlation between population growth, GDP, and education investments. He urged for parliamentary debate on the issue and cited Bangladesh’s success in managing population growth as a model worth adapting in Pakistan’s context.

Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Country Representative, reaffirmed the international community’s support for Pakistan’s population programmes. He advocated for expanding access to reproductive health services, empowering individuals to make informed choices, and strengthening integrated efforts to advance health, rights, and agency—especially for women and adolescents.

Representing the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Liaqat Ali Khan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Population Welfare, expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s continued collaboration with provinces.

Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, reflected on the demographic dividend and associated challenges. He noted the potential of Pakistan’s youth, while highlighting the need to address gaps in infrastructure, employment, and civic amenities.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2025