Pakistan must prioritise population growth reduction, says Umar

Planning Minister Asad Umar on Sunday said Pakistan should make population growth reduction one of its top national priorities to achieve impact in key development areas.

"Let's say Pakistan had enough capacity to provide quality education to only half its kids. If Pak population growth drops to that of Bangladesh, in 10 years we will accommodate every child in the country of primary school age and in 15 years in secondary school," Umar said on Twitter.

"With such a phenomenal impact in such short duration on key development outcomes, we should make population growth reduction as one of our top national priorities," he added.

On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said rapid growth in population was creating problems in the province.

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“These overpopulation-related issues in our major cities, as well as those around the world, are a threat to human survival on Earth.” The chief minister further said that the accelerated growth in population multiplies health, education and employment issues.

In his message on World Population Day, the chief minister had also said that the purpose to observe the day was to raise awareness globally regarding the importance of balance in population and resources.

“People’s cooperation and support to the government’s efforts was utmost necessary to overcome the problems related to the increasing population, and to improve the living standards of the people.” The tsunami of the human population must be stopped to protect natural resources, he added.