PM Shehbaz Links Rising Population to SDGs, Youth at Centre

News Desk

Islamabad: As the world observed World Population Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to a rightsbased population program by promising fair access to healthcare and educated family planning for all.

“These efforts are in line with our Sustainable Development Goals and Family Planning 2030 targets,” Sharif said. “Stabilizing population growth calls for a coordinated, multi sectoral strategy.”Every aim has particular markers by which to monitor advancement together they help to attain inclusive growth without neglecting anybody.

Emphasizing this year’s theme of empowering young people to build families in a just and optimistic world, he observed that Pakistan’s 242 million people, with 65 percent, under 30, present both a chance for growth and a challenge for governance and resources. For a better and more prosperous Pakistan, he asked all stakeholders including governments, development partners, civil society, business, religious leaders, and communities to collaborate to solve these problems.

What Are SDGs and How Do They Work

As part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations established 17 global goals in 2015 called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among other goals, they hope to eradicate poverty, lessen disparities, guarantee high-quality education, achieve gender equality, advance good health, provide decent employment opportunities, and safeguard the environment.

Including Pakistan, every UN member nation has assured to reach these objectives by 2030 to create a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world for all people without leaving anyone behind.

Pakistan’s Population Overview, Connecting Goals with Growth

Linking Development to Goals With a population of 242 million and an annual growth rate of around 2. 5 percent , Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world. 65percent of the population is under thirty, which has both benefits and challenges.

Experts claim that the reasons for this increase include high fertility rates, limited access to family planning, and cultural expectations that favor big families. If left unchecked, it risks worsening poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and environmental destruction. The majority of the SDGs are directly impacted by population dynamics. For example, Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) focuses on maternal and child health, which is impacted by fertility rates and family planning availability.

Controllable family sizes are necessary for goals 4 (quality education) and 5 (gender equality), so that parents may focus on their children’s education, particularly that of girls. Objective 8, which focuses on fair labor practices and economic development, is directly tied to maintaining a skilled and healthy workforce, which requires a balanced population increase and the empowerment of youth. Because it might put a burden on resources and services, rapid population expansion can undermine these goals.

SDGs in Pakistan

History of SDGs in Pakistan In February 2016, Pakistan was one of the first countries to officially incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals into its planning process by integrating them into its national development plan.

The National SDG Framework, which was authorized in 2018 to guide implementation, establishes priority areas and aligns federal and provincial policies with SDG objectives. From 2020 to 2025, Pakistan continued its efforts to integrate SDGs into national and regional plans in order to ensure consistent progress in the areas of poverty reduction, improved health, education, access to clean water and sanitation, fair employment, peace and justice, and climate change mitigation.

Zero Hunger, Good Health, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions are the top government priorities, followed by No Poverty, Gender Equality, and Reduced Inequalities.

Rapid population growth continues to be a significant issue because it puts a strain on health, education, housing, water, and economic systems, which in turn has an impact on numerous SDG indicators. Controlling population growth is necessary for Pakistan to maintain its sustainable and inclusive growth trajectory.

Insights from Experts on Pakistan’s Population Struggles

According to specialists, Pakistan’s expanding population is putting enormous strain on its resources, administration, and development plans. “Population stabilization is vital for human development gains and for attaining the SDGs,” said Dr. Zeba Sathar, the national director of the Population Council.

“Voluntary family planning reduces fertility, which enhances maternal health, children’s educational results, and economic growth prospects,” she stated.According to economist Dr. Hafeez Pasha, economic goals cannot be achieved if the population is not managed. “To effectively utilize the youth dividend, we must include population in all development planning,” he said.

Younger Generation, Their Risks, Solutions, and Contribution to SDGs

If given access to education, skills, and opportunities, the youth of Pakistan might become “a dynamic force for innovation and productivity,” Prime Minister Sharif stated. But there are still difficulties. Youth unemployment is high, and a education system restricts economic prospects. The number of youngsters who are still not enrolled in school is over twenty-five million. Disillusioned and unemployed young people, according to analysts, may cause social unrest, an increase in crime, and exacerbating poverty cycles.

Increasing employment creation in industries and services, increasing the coverage of high-quality education and vocational training, guaranteeing adolescent reproductive health education to encourage responsible family planning, and investing in girls’ education to postpone early marriage and lower fertility rates are all suggested remedies.

Pakistan’s progress will be determined by the empowerment of its youth, according to Prime Minister Sharif. “They will drive national development if we invest in their good upbringing and empowerment,” he stated.

Youth can hasten progress toward the SDGs through innovation, entrepreneurship, civic participation, and by seeking accountability for policies pertaining to health, the environment, and education, according to experts. Pakistan’s youth are a valuable resource that, if properly managed, may help the nation move toward stability and prosperity.

Building Pakistan’s Future, Shared Responsibility and Next Steps

Prime Minister  Shebaz Sharif pleaded with all parties involved, including the federal and provincial governments, development partners, civil society, religious leaders, and local communities, to fulfill their shared responsibility to solve population issues and guarantee that everyone has the capacity to make educated decisions about their lives.

“We must empower our people with dignity and align our policies with SDG commitments if we want to create a healthier, more prosperous Pakistan,” he stated, referring to the youth as Pakistan’s hope and strength for a sustainable future.

Actions to tackle Pakistan’s population issues should prioritize investing in youth education and skills training, empowering women by providing accessible family planning services, generating additional employment to accommodate the expanding workforce, and involving communities and religious leaders in promoting informed family planning decisions.

Reproductive health education for adolescents should be included in policies, and fair maternal and child care should be provided by healthcare systems. In addition, the media should promote success stories of youth-led innovation in order to bring about positive change in society, provincial departments should ensure effective implementation, and NGOs and development partners should increase awareness efforts and support projects that align with the SDGs.