Pakistan’s rising population is straining its resources: British Envoy Turner

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Christian Turner on Tuesday observed that Pakistan’s population was going to double in the next 30 years putting a huge burden on its resources that demanded a proper response to address the pressing issue.

The British envoy made these remarks during a ceremony to commemorate World Population Day; a collaborative event was conducted in a joint effort of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan, British High Commission, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (NHSRC), and Population Program Wing (PPW).

Dr Arif Alvi asserted the need to sensitize the public about the negative implications of population growth on human health, especially of mother and child, and on the economic as well as social life of people.

The event revolved around the theme “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.”

While addressing the event, British High Commissioner Christian Turner said, “The business as usual approach needs to stop. It is important to talk about family planning. The UK is the largest donor to Family Planning in Pakistan and has been supporting the country since 2012. Delivering Accelerated Family Planning in Pakistan (DAFPAK) is a “90 million program that has so far reached 7 million family planning users mostly from marginalized communities. The UK remains committed to supporting Pakistan.”

While addressing the World Population Day event via a video testimonial, President Dr Arif Alvi expressed concern over the constant population growth and the meagre resources available in Pakistan.

He said that the government needs to exercise all options to sensitize the public about negative implications of population growth not only on human health, especially of mother and child, but also on economic as well as social life of people.

Delivering Accelerated Family Planning in Pakistan (DAFPAK) is a “90 million program that has so far reached 7 million family planning users mostly from marginalised communities

Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel stressed that all partners and stakeholders, including civil society organizations and NGOs, should come together and join hands with the government to address this growing issue.

PPW DG Population Dr Sabina Durrani commented that parents have the right to freely and responsibly decide the number and spacing of their children to fulfil the fundamental rights of their children and family by maintaining a Balance or Tawazun between their family size and resources.

“Population is a denominator to every challenge. It is necessary that we dedicate adequate funding for accelerated Family Planning to reap the benefits of demographic dividend,” said Member Social Sector & Devolution, Planning Commission Pakistan Dr Shabnam Sarfraz. She also remarked that for a progressive and prosperous Pakistan, it is important that we provide equal opportunities for men and women in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.

World Population Day was commemorated in Pakistan to raise awareness about the issue of population growth.

UNFPA Pakistan Country Representative Dr Bakhtior Kadirov called for focusing on every person; on ensuring our world can support our needs and those of future generations, on human rights and on leaving no one behind.

Singer, philanthropist, and brand ambassador for Family Planning in Pakistan Shehzad Roy encouraged the government to ensure that before a married couple visits the Nikkah registrar to get their marriage certificate, they should be obligated to pass a basic reproductive health course so that they have adequate knowledge about family planning and birth spacing before they begin their married life.

“This would not only encourage people to adopt family planning measures but also create awareness in women about their basic rights,” Shehzad added.

The need for family planning remains staggeringly high in Pakistan. The grassroots challenges are present such as misconceptions, lack of trained health staff, communication gap between the partners, and others.