KARACHI, Feb 26: It is impossible to control the population growth without cooperation of non-governmental organizations, said provincial minister for population welfare and women development, Dr Saeeda Malik on Wednesday.

She was speaking at her office to a representative meeting of NGOs working in the field of population welfare.

She said the meeting was aimed at creating better understanding and relations between NGOs and government for the achievement of common goals. She said the aim of both the public and private sectors working in the field of population welfare was to control the population growth rate.

She informed that at present 346 family welfare centres of the department were working for family planning and health of women and children in Sindh. Besides, 20 reproductive health service centres were working throughout the province, she said.

Dr Saeeda Malik said it was the result of the efforts of the government and NGOs that 98% of the population of Pakistan had been educated about the family planning programmes.

On the occasion, the representatives of NGOs gave suggestions to the minister who directed the secretary population welfare to work in the light of the suggestions and enhance cooperation between the government and NGOs.—PPI