KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, in a recent meeting with the UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Pio Smith, reaffirmed the provincial government’s dedication to addressing population growth and achieving family planning objectives. “This commitment, alongside UNFPA’s ongoing support, is a crucial step toward enhancing maternal health, reproductive rights, and gender equality in Sindh,” said Shah. The meeting was attended by Minister Health & Population Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Secretary Population Hadi Bullo, UNFPA Representative to Pakistan Dr. Luay Shabaneh, Head of Sindh Office Mr. Muqaddar Shah, and Program Analyst Ms. Renuka Swami.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, Pakistan, which is the fifth most populous country in the world, faces distinct challenges in population management and maternal health. UNFPA has been a longstanding partner since their first agreement in 1960 and has completed nine country programs aimed at advancing family planning, reproductive health, and gender equality. Mr. Pio Smith noted that the 10th Country Programme (2023-2027) will concentrate on three transformative goals: ending unmet family planning needs, preventing maternal deaths, and combating harmful practices such as child marriage and gender-based violence.

Significant progress has been made in Sindh, with the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) reporting an increase in the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) to 41.4 percent. The province targets a CPR of 47 percent by 2025 and 57 percent by 2030, which is expected to lead to a reduction in maternal mortality and improve maternal health.

Under the 10th Country Programme, UNFPA is providing extensive support to the Sindh government and local agencies in various areas, including family planning, health worker training on counseling, logistics, and reproductive health services, and gender-based violence. UNFPA is also enhancing the capabilities of Sindh’s Population Welfare Department by ensuring training for logistics and commodity management and strengthening health facilities for emergency obstetric and newborn care. This comprehensive strategy aims to improve family planning access and support long-term population management efforts.