High population deters development

Aurangzeb urges focus on tackling challenges to achieve sustainable growth

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ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday called for national focus on climate change and population management, describing them as the two most critical challenges facing Pakistan's path to sustainable development.

Speaking at a function held on the World Population Day, the minister said, "Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is undertaking structural reforms across taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and privatisation".

"But if we are serious about putting Pakistan on a sustainable growth path and aiming to become a $3 trillion economy by 2047, we must confront two existential issues head-on: climate change and population growth," he added.

Aurangzeb stressed that while macroeconomic reforms were important, the demographic challenge required immediate and coordinated intervention. He highlighted that Pakistan's current population growth rate of 2.55% was unsustainable, warning of its impact on daily life and growth trajectory.

Citing alarming statistics from a recently presented documentary, the minister revealed that 40% of Pakistani children under the age of five were stunted – a condition with lifelong consequences for learning, earning potential and health. "These children represent Pakistan's future leadership. If we don't act now, we're mortgaging our country's future," he said.

Aurangzeb emphasised that addressing stunted growth and other population-related challenges required an integrated, multi-sector approach.