Pakistan’s unchecked population growth strains resources as experts warn the growth threatens resources, healthcare and development.
Pakistan is edging towards a demographic catastrophe, experts warned at the close of the Pakistan Population Summit on Tuesday, stressing that the country’s unchecked rise in population is quickly surpassing its resource capacity.
The two-day summit brought together government representatives, academics, and civil society members, who characterised the situation as an “existential crisis” that requires immediate national focus and coordinated reforms, according to The Express Tribune.
As reported by The Express Tribune, participants at the event urged a unified and cross-sectoral strategy to manage population growth, noting that the escalating numbers now pose severe risks to Pakistan’s healthcare services, food and water availability, labour force stability, education systems, and the sustainability of its cities. They cautioned that without firm measures, the rapid increase in population could soon undermine broader development initiatives.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar acknowledged in his remarks that the country’s “constitutional right to life is being eroded” due to the unsustainable pace of population growth, which places immense strain on maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health services.
He suggested setting up a parliamentary committee, drafting a national charter on population control, and forming a multi-stakeholder working group to drive comprehensive change.
Tarar also reiterated that “religion does not obstruct family planning” and called for mental health concerns, such as postpartum depression, to be included in reproductive health conversations, a stance that received strong support from attendees.
Religious and legal experts backed this view, marking a rare moment of agreement. Dr Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, affirmed that “protecting life and lineage is a core objective of Shariah” and supported birth spacing in alignment with Islamic teachings, according to The Express Tribune.
Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad described population management as a ”collective moral duty,” while Mufti Zubair Ashraf Usmani clarified that Islam supports birth spacing for health reasons rather than fear of poverty.
Legal expert Humaira Masihuddin called for ”greater inclusion of women in decision-making positions,” stressing that empowerment and education of women were central to managing Pakistan’s population challenge, as reported by The Express Tribune.
With inputs from agencies
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