Population dynamics: Pakistan creaking under weight of large population

ISLAMABAD: The country’s resources are under immense strain owing to the weight of a large population with access to health, education and employment crowded out.

This was stated by speakers at a seminar organised by the Population Council to discuss population dynamics and how Pakistan can meat its Sustainable Development Goals, in the capital on Sunday.  “Rapid growth in population has an adverse impact on the resources and economy of the country,” said Punjab Minister for Population Welfare Zakia Shahnawaz.

UN Population Fund Pakistan Representative Dr Hassan Mohtashami stated that delays in reducing fertility has consequences such as higher population growth rate. Some speakers were of the view that if other Muslim countries could improve their health and development indicators by lowering birth rates, whey could Pakistan not do so.

Some ulema, including Badshahi Masjid’s grand imam Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad and Darul Uloom Usmania’s Maulana Naeem Ashraf Usmani said that last year they endorsed a declaration which allowed reversible family planning methods.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2016.