OVERPOPULATION in Pakistan is a serious issue that leads to social, economic and psychological problems and contribute directly to the increasing poverty, food shortage, illiteracy, stunted growth, malnutrition etc.

This factor has rendered the country weak as an economic entity and has made it difficult for governments to serve citizens adequately. Additionally, the increase in crimes is also a direct factor as citizens tend to resort to any means to feed their families.

The need is for awareness at the grassroots level and more focus on family planning programmes. At the time of independence, the country had a population of around 43 million in the western wing. This has shot up to around 220 million today. The figures say it all.

Muhammad Firas Qureshi
Abbottabad

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2020