CHITRAL, July 12: NWFP Minister for Population Welfare Salim Khan has said that a strategy was being worked out for family planning taking on board all segments of the society.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, he said that population explosion had given birth to multi-dimensional problems, which crippled the society as the population growth rate and resources were disproportionate to each other.

The food crisis, soaring prices of basic commodities and unemployment were direct result of high population growth, he said, adding that the population welfare department would make efforts to create mass awareness about the importance and urgency of family planning.

He said facilities for family planning were being doubled across the province. He said they had planned to establish welfare centres at union council level.

The population welfare department would also provide general health facilities in remote areas apart from reproductive health care. Free medical camps would be arranged in the far-flung areas where teams of specialist doctors would be sent, he added.

Earlier, the district population welfare department organised a one-day seminar on family planning in connection with the World Population Day in the town hall.

Minister Salim Khan was chief guest on the occasion while District Nazim Maghfirat Shah presided over the meeting. People from many walks of life attended the event in great number.

District Population Welfare Officer Fazal Alim presented a report on the progress of his department.

The district nazim, medical superintendent of DHQ hospital Dr Nazir Ahmed, khateeb Shahi Masjid Maulana Khaleequz Zaman and others spoke on the occasion.

Later, a walk was organised to create awareness about family planning, which ended at the Chew Bazaar after passing through the roads.