ABBOTTABAD, May 11: Federal Secretary for Population Welfare, Mohammad Tariq Janjua hoped that population growth in the country would be lowered to 1.9 per cent during the next two years, which, he said, would be a great achievement.

At present, annual population growth rate in Pakistan was 2.1 per cent with 144 million population, which was the highest in the region, he added.

He was speaking at a certificate distribution ceremony of Regional Training Institute of population welfare workers here at Ayub Medical College on Saturday.

The federal secretary said that the country’s population had quadrupled since its independence in 1947 and at the present rate its population would be doubled in 33 years. He said that Pakistan was the seventh most populous country of the world with 2.1 per cent growth rate and lagged behind countries like Indonesia with population growth of 1.3 per cent, Iran with 1.4 per cent, India 1.6 per cent and Bangladesh 1.7 per cent.

“Due to tremendous population growth we are adding about 31 million people to our population annually which means that three cities of the size of Peshawar are being added to Pakistan population-wise”. As a result of population growth, economic development has been eroded in the past and 54 million people lack access to clean drinking water, while 50 million people live in a one-room house. Infant mortality rate was also high whereas 50 mothers die from pregnancy and childbirth everyday.

He said that once we achieved the growth rate of less than 1.9 per cent it would be a good omen for the nation as more resources would be available for the development.

He hoped that present Contraceptive Prevalent Rate (CPR) would be enhanced from 30 to 60 per cent by the year 2020. Similarly, he added, annual growth rate would be lowered from 2.1 per cent to 1.3 per cent after 18 years.

Earlier, Principal of the institute, Nasir Moinuddin presented the welcome address. Prof Dr Mohammed Aftab also spoke on the occasion.

The chief guest also awarded shields and certificates to the successful candidates.

Ms Naureen of Haripur stood first, while Ghazala Shaheen of Haripur and Robina Kausar of Azad Kashmir bagged second and third positions respectively.—APP