ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has urged for a national consensus on population planning in Pakistan, highlighting its critical role in the country’s future. Speaking at a World Population Day 2026 event in Islamabad, Gilani emphasized the need for increased investment in education, healthcare, and skill development to empower the nation’s youth. With over 65 percent of the population under 30, he pointed out the potential demographic dividend that could be harnessed through sustained human development efforts.

According to Senate of Pakistan, Gilani underscored the challenges and opportunities presented by Pakistan’s growing population. He noted the pressures on healthcare, education, employment, water resources, and the environment due to rapid population growth. Gilani advocated for integrating population planning into the country’s economic and development strategies, identifying family planning as a vital tool for improving maternal and child health, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable development.

Gilani called for cross-party cooperation and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting legislative and policy measures for responsible population planning. He also encouraged political leaders, religious scholars, community representatives, and the media to help raise awareness and dispel misconceptions regarding family planning, framing it as a collective national responsibility. He acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of National Health Services, provincial governments, UNFPA, and development partners in advancing Pakistan’s population and development agenda, expressing confidence in the country’s ability to transform its population into a source of national strength and prosperity through coordinated action.