Family planning: Political, religious leaders stand united

Representatives of the federal and provincial governments, major political parties and prominent religious leaders of the country endorsed the need for managing the adverse impact of a rapidly growing population on the wellbeing and prosperity of the country.

At a gathering titled ‘United We Stand: National Consensus on Population and Development,’ in Bhurban on Thursday, participants called on policymakers to formulate a new vision and narrative for dealing with the country’s population issue.

The event was jointly organised by the Population Council, the federal health ministry, and United National Fund for Population.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Dr Yasmin Rashid spoke of mothers who die due to complications resulting from repeated and closely spaced pregnancies.

Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Farhatullah Babar stressed the need for introducing a national narrative on the population issue.

Izharul Haq from the Muttahida Quami Movement said there was a need to introduce specific legislation in assemblies to ensure provision of adequate and appropriate reproductive healthcare to all citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2015.