Islamabad: The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Population Council (NPC) convened in Islamabad on November 12, 2026, underscored the urgent need for implementing effective population management strategies to stabilize growth and harness Pakistan’s demographic potential.
According to the Press Information Department, the meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and co-chaired by Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal. The gathering included federal and provincial ministers, secretaries, and senior officials from various departments across Pakistan’s provinces and regions.
In his address, Ahsan Iqbal described the country’s rapid population growth as a national emergency that necessitates immediate and coordinated action. He highlighted the concerning rise in the population growth rate from 2.4 percent to 2.55 percent, as recorded in the 2023 Census. Emphasizing the direct link between population figures and the nation’s future and resource sustainability, he cautioned that sustainable development and economic prosperity could remain elusive without a balance between population growth and available resources. Iqbal outlined the economic implications, noting that with a 5 percent economic growth rate and a 2.5 percent population increase, the actual per capita growth would be reduced to 2.5 percent.
Iqbal warned that unchecked population growth would challenge Pakistan’s ability to adequately provide education, healthcare, employment, and basic facilities. He criticized the existing NFC Award formula for potentially encouraging population growth due to its 82 percent weightage on population in resource distribution. He advocated for linking the NFC Award with development and sustainability indicators to incentivize provinces that achieve balanced population growth. Iqbal called for a coordinated national strategy involving healthcare, education, community awareness, and social attitude changes to manage population growth, which he deemed crucial for Pakistan’s economic security and development goals.
The Committee reviewed the draft National Health and Population Policy and the National Population Stabilization Program, presented by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination. Provinces and regions were urged to establish Provincial Population Councils and Executive Committees, develop costed implementation plans, and integrate data streams with the Contraceptive Logistics Management Information System to enhance the contraceptive supply chain.
The Executive Committee was formed by the Prime Minister to translate the National Population Council’s policies into actionable targets and collaborate with provinces and regions on implementation. The meeting follows the preliminary Council meeting led by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on October 30, 2026. The Committee plans to meet regularly to evaluate progress, with the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives serving as its Secretariat.