Rapid population growth termed ‘national emergency’

• Ahsan Iqbal seeks linking NFC award to development, sustainability indicators • Scholars highlight role of birth spacing in protecting mother, child’s health ISLAMABAD: The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Population Council (NPC) agreed that rapidly growing population was a national emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action. The meeting was held at the Planning Commission to examine implementation of measures aimed at advancing population planning and development by both stabilising population growth and capitalising on Pakistan’s demographic potential. It was co-chaired by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal and by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, and brought together federal ministers and secretaries, provincial and regional ministers, and senior officials from all four provinces, AJK and GB.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Iqbal noted that while the population growth rate had gradually declined to 2. 4 per cent since 1980, it had risen again to 2. 55pc in the 2023 census, describing the reversal as a matter of serious concern. “We have taken our foot off the brake and put it on the accelerator. This trend must be reversed,” he remarked. He emphasised that population figures were not merely statistics but were directly linked to Pakistan’s future, the well-being of its children and the sustainability of national resources. He said that without balancing population growth with available resources, sustainable development and economic prosperity would remain difficult to achieve. Explaining the economic implications, he observed that if the economy grew by 5pc while the population increased by 2. 5pc, actual per capita growth would be reduced to just 2. 5pc. Mr Iqbal stressed that unchecked population growth would make it increasingly…