Islamabad: Addressing the challenges of rapid population growth, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, highlighted the urgent need for a unified national approach at the 11th Parliamentary Forum on Population. The Minister stressed on collaborative efforts to tackle the significant rise in population, which poses major hurdles to resource allocation and national development.

According to Press Information Department, Mr. Iqbal, serving as the chief guest, emphasized the importance of political unity over differences to effectively address the issues arising from Pakistan’s population dynamics. He commended the Population Council for providing a platform conducive to open dialogue among all political entities concerning population growth, which he described as a critical issue requiring immediate action.

Mr. Iqbal pointed out that Pakistan has experienced a considerable population surge over the last three decades, based on findings from the recent digital census. He noted that the country ranks first in Asia and is among the top 30 nations globally with the highest population growth rates. The current growth rate, which has doubled since 2017 to 2.4%, places immense pressure on Pakistan’s resources, affecting the provision of basic necessities such as water, healthcare, and education.

During his speech, the Minister also underscored the necessity of implementing effective population management and resource alignment strategies, akin to those employed by developed nations. He highlighted the severe challenges posed by the high incidence of diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis, diabetes, and polio in Pakistan. Moreover, with 25 million children out of school, the education sector is under significant strain to not only increase enrollment rates but also improve the quality of education.

Mr. Iqbal called on public representatives to actively participate in national and provincial discussions to raise awareness and find solutions for population control. He concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of investing in education and healthcare, particularly for girls, stating that an educated and healthy mother is pivotal for a prosperous society and a brighter future. The event ended with a detailed discussion among representatives from national and provincial assemblies on addressing the impacts of population growth on national development.