Rapid population growth a serious concern: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized the need for a national consensus and importance of setting aside political differences to collectively address the country’s challenges, stating that Pakistan’s progress depends on unified efforts.

Addressing the 11th Parliamentary Forum on Population here on Thursday, he highlighted the rapid population growth in Pakistan as a serious concern, requiring immediate and effective measures. He said Pakistan’s population surged significantly over the past three decades, placing immense pressure on its resources. “Currently, Pakistan is among the 30 nations with the highest population growth rates and on top in Asia,” he said.

Referencing the recent digital census, he said the growing population exacerbated the challenges of providing essential resources such as water, healthcare and education. Effective population management and resource alignment are key strategies employed by the developed nations, and Pakistan must adopt similar measures. He said the population growth rate, which was 2.4% in 2017, had now doubled, posing a major obstacle to national development. He underscored the critical importance of investing in education, healthcare and human capital development to address the population issue.

He expressed concern over the high incidence of diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, diabetes and polio in Pakistan, placing the country among the highest globally in these areas. Additionally, he said with 25 million children still out of school, the challenge of enrolling these children was compounded by the need to ensure the provision of quality education. He highlighted the need to shift focus from quantity to quality in education and healthcare systems, stressing the importance of developing a healthy, skilled and educated workforce capable of meeting future challenges.

He urged public representatives to actively engage in discussions on this critical issue at both national and provincial levels and raise public awareness about population control. He noted that the forum provided a vital platform for all political parties to engage in an open dialogue on the pressing issue of population growth. He stressed the significance of educating girls, stating that an educated and healthy mother was the foundation of a prosperous society and better future.