Islamabad: Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, has advocated for reforms in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to incentivize provinces that effectively manage population growth. Speaking at the launch of the National and Provincial Population Projections 2023-2050 in Islamabad, Iqbal underscored the necessity of balanced population growth for the nation’s sustainable development and economic stability.

According to Press Information Department, Iqbal highlighted the challenges posed by unchecked population growth, warning that if current trends persist, Pakistan’s population could swell to between 370 and 400 million by 2050. This increase, he noted, would exert immense pressure on critical services such as health, education, and employment. He pointed out that 82 percent of resource distribution under the NFC Award is currently linked to population share, necessitating reforms to encourage responsible population management.

Iqbal emphasized that population management is a national concern that impacts economic growth, human development, and national security. He stated that the government is committed to data-driven governance, utilizing modern technology and artificial intelligence to address future national needs. The minister called on media, researchers, and civil society to play an active role in raising awareness about population management and sustainable resource utilization.