Growing pains

Pakistan's population crisis has been at least over seven decades in the making. Despite repeated family planning initiatives and various population control measures, it stands as the fifth most populous country in the world today. This year, a National Population Council is now joining the ranks of past - failed or forsaken - attempts, such as the Population Welfare Programme, at curbing this growing demographic.

Undoubtedly, repeated attempts at trying to solve a problem should be appreciated. Except, when similar patterns are repeated that have previously failed, the cycle of improvement is merely unveiled as a performance. Still missing for the public is clarity on budget allocations, measurable targets and timelines that won't budge on account of mismanagement.

Moreover, official messaging leans heavily on "informed decision-making" and "awareness" as though the country's fertility rate persists solely because people simply don't know better. While this covers some portion of the truth, much of it is convenience. The reality is that most rural regions have extremely limited access to contraception, low female autonomy and high child mortality that pushes families towards more kids. Even if the knowledge gap is summited, resources and autonomy are still required to make informed decisions.

Then there's the oft-celebrated statistic of over half of Pakistan's population being under 30. This statistic is only positive if the country's economy is able to absorb them. Without quality education and good jobs, the bulk of this population is essentially wasted and risks becoming a liability much more than it has the potential to become an asset.

The population crisis is an accumulated result of several other crises. Until the root of this problem is not addressed, measures to cap the population will remain unsustainable. And each year, World Population Day will keep bringing statements instead of solutions.