Male sterilisation on the rise amid population growth

The trend of male sterilisation (vasectomy) has seen a sharp increase in Sindh amid rapid population growth, with the number of cases rising from just 24 in 2021 to over 4,000 in 2025, according to the Sindh Population Welfare Department.

Officials say vasectomy services are available in all districts of the province, though the highest uptake has been recorded in Karachi. Nearly 80% of the reported cases came from the city's seven districts, followed by Larkana with 16%, while the remaining cases were reported from other parts of Sindh. The department attributes the growing trend to increased public awareness rather than coercion, saying sustained awareness campaigns have helped dispel misconceptions surrounding the procedure and promoted it as a safe and effective permanent family planning option.

Like the rest of the country, Sindh continues to face rapid population growth. Official estimates show that around 1.4 million children are born annually in the province, while Pakistan's population increases by nearly six million each year. Officials acknowledge that the pace of economic growth, infrastructure development and availability of resources is not keeping up with the rising population, prompting the government to introduce measures aimed at population control.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Sindh Population Welfare Department Technical Advisor Dr Talib Lashari said vasectomy is a reliable and permanent family planning method for men who have completed their families. He added that the procedure involved a minor surgical intervention to block the male reproductive ducts, making pregnancy impossible, without affecting a man's marital life, sexual potency or overall health.

According to the department, vasectomy services are being provided at major public-sector hospitals, district headquarters hospitals and tertiary care facilities across Sindh. In Karachi, the procedure is available at JPMC, Civil Hospital and other major hospitals, where it is performed by trained doctors.

Dr Lashari said some men opted for vasectomy to avoid the risk of passing on congenital disorders if their existing children had disabilities, while others, including people living with HIV/AIDS, chose the procedure to prevent disease transmission to future children.