The strengthening of a country’s socio-economic framework heavily depends on the overall prosperity of its population. Unfortunately, due to several structural problems and continued neglect by the ruling elite, Pakistan faces significant challenges. One such challenge is the ever-increasing population, which is pressuring the already fragile economy.

According to a conservative estimate, the Pakistani population is growing by over six million a year. Rural to urban migration is adding to the burden on cities. Due to the rampant population growth, housing problems of the cities are snowballing. Financial insecurity, deteriorating economic conditions, and a rising suicide-rate caused by poverty are undoubtedly alarming for the country of over 220 million.

A large number of people lack basic amenities, some of them to the extent of being unsure of food, clothing and housing. Education and health are amongst the worst-hit.

International development indicators show that the country is a frontrunner for the worst performer’s title for health, education and poverty-reduction alongside Uganda and Ghana.

The three are the lowest rung of social development indexes as well.

International organisations have also expressed concern over the country’s lack of incisive policy-making regarding population control.

Many countries, including our neighbouring Iran, have been brought their population growth under control. With improvements in the health and education sector, Bangladesh is moving in the right direction too.

The answer to Pakistan’s worries is proper family planning initiatives. Offices have been set up at the ministry, district and tehsil levels, and centres in cities and towns to this end. Advertisements are placed in newspapers and on television to encourage family planning. Loans are taken from foreign financial institutions.

The failure of family planning initiatives must be taken seriously. Effort are needed to eradicate the prevalent misconceptions to ensure population control. According to a UNICEF survey, 30 percent of the women in the country know about family planning and want to adopt it.

There is a need to strengthen the family planning drives in rural areas and ensuring trained staffs deployment at the centres. The government must raise awareness through effective public campaigns to inform the public of the disadvantages of population growth.

If we look at the history of Pakistan’s population, according to the 1961 census, the total population of Pakistan was 93.32 million, of which 58.4 million lived in East Pakistan. By January of 1991, the number had risen to 113 million, even though the East Pakistan was lost 1971. The provisional census results announced on July 9, 1998, revealed that the population stood at 135.8 million. The Punjab housed 72.5 million, Sindh 29.4 million, the then NWFP 15.5 million and Balochistan some 65.11 million. According to the latest census, the population has touched 220 million.

The country’s population is growing at an alarming rate while economic growth is slow. According to experts, if the population continues to grow at the same rate, the current resources will not support it.

With a population growth rate higher than most countries, and an equally high cost of family planning drives, the prospects are grim. The situation calls for serious reflection.

Human resource is undoubtedly the most valuable tool in a country’s arsenal. However, it is crucial to understand the demands of a rising population. With more people to feed, the government will have to create more opportunities. If nothing is done to contain the population growth rate, the economy will reach a breaking point.

This could all lead to more poverty, lawlessness and chaos over the coming decades. Pakistan has so far been slow to implement rapid population welfare projects. If the policymakers continue to be unperturbed by the numbers, the growing population would sweep away the meagre resources.

It is high time that policymakers realise the gravity of the matter and formulate effective policies to address it.

The writer is a journalist based in Lahore