Population crisis
PAKISTAN’S population debate has seen moments of concern, followed by long stretches of inaction.
Updated 06 Apr, 2026 08:37am
Population Council country director says girls' education, skills, empowerment fundamental to transforming economy, improving family wellbeing.
Updated 12 Dec, 2025 10:17am
Sindh CM stresses population balance central to social, economic progress; journalist Arifa Noor highlights govts' lack of focus on issue.
Updated 03 Dec, 2025 12:18am
Despite billions in funds, nothing to show: Aurangzeb WB official says jobs without skills are a "liability".
Published 02 Dec, 2025 06:56am
Mushahid highlights constitutional ‘flaw’ of basing resource allocation on population, rather than level of development.
Updated 03 Dec, 2025 12:10am
Maleeha Lodhi deplores drop in Pakistan’s HDI ranking; Raza Rabbani highlights youth’s alienation from policymaking.
Published 02 Dec, 2025 06:56am
Planning minister warns country could reach 370m by 2050, with annual addition of 4-4.5m people — equivalent to New Zealand.
Published 02 Dec, 2025 06:55am
Mushahid Hussain, Maleeha Lodhi note lack of political will and issue's low ranking in govt's priorities; experts highlight alarming figures compared to rest of South Asia.
Updated 02 Dec, 2025 02:43pm
If domestic and foreign investment doesn’t flow into agriculture and manufacturing in a big way, how on earth will new jobs be created?
Updated 01 Dec, 2025 07:45am
On the scale of population governance, Pakistan offers an interesting story of the rise and fall of population management policies.
Updated 30 Nov, 2025 10:28pm
Notable speakers include PM Shehbaz, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
Updated 30 Nov, 2025 11:04am
Population growth, when unaccompanied by strong human development, traps an economy in a cycle of low productivity and low investment.
Published 29 Nov, 2025 11:30am
All available evidence points to a clear link between a prevailing lack of gender equality and a continuously high population growth rate.
Updated 29 Nov, 2025 11:30am
The pressure of rapid population growth is visible not only in labour markets but across all public systems.
Published 27 Nov, 2025 11:30am
Pakistan has treated its population primarily as a narrow family planning concern rather than a development imperative.
Published 26 Nov, 2025 11:31am
The moment demands political courage and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths: our institutions weren’t designed for 255 million people, and our policies still assume natural abundance that no longer exists.
Updated 26 Nov, 2025 01:18am
Already home to over 241.5m people, the country is projected to cross 300m by 2030 and approach 400m by 2050.
Updated 24 Nov, 2025 07:23pm
While some companies exited the local market, others started operations, says finance minister.
Updated 22 Oct, 2025 10:32pm
Parliamentarians welcome Council of Islamic Ideology’s endorsement of birth spacing.
Updated 21 Oct, 2025 10:34am
PM calls for comprehensive population planning, emphasises initiatives for youth and female empowerment.
Published 07 Aug, 2025 07:30pm
We seem to know what to do. But what appears to be missing is political will.
Updated 28 Jul, 2025 09:19am
With country's population exceeding 242mn, both stress need for awareness on family planning.
Published 11 Jul, 2025 04:11pm
The provinces bear the primary responsibility for improving access to family planning services, particularly for poorer families.
Updated 11 Jul, 2025 08:36am
UNFPA country representative stresses importance of integrated efforts between population and health departments.
Published 03 Jul, 2025 05:47am
Noted environmentalist Naseer Memon termed impacts of climate change as Pakistan’s biggest issue.
Published 25 May, 2025 05:02am
Unchecked population growth is a pressing issue, especially in water-stressed Balochistan.
Updated 10 Mar, 2025 10:08am
Panelist Dr Rehana Ahmed says, “Pakistan has absolutely no excuse to continue with rapid population growth rate.”
Published 09 Feb, 2025 04:21pm
Islamabad secures top position with 63.9pc, followed by Punjab with score of 55.5pc, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 51pc, Sindh 50.7pc, and Balochistan 38.4pc.
Published 02 Jan, 2025 08:02am
Says population welfare department started various programmes, campaigns which will be continuing till December 31.
Updated 23 Dec, 2024 10:31am
Sherry Rehman emphasises urgency of implementing National Action Plan on population endorsed by CCI.
Updated 17 Dec, 2024 09:07am
