Pakistan's Chief of Defence has been tasked with controlling the nation's population, a new portfolio beyond his traditional role of protecting the country. This development was reported by Dawn, citing a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services and the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights.
Population Control Measures Fall Short
Efforts to manage population growth over the past three years have not yielded desired results. Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal revealed the proposal during the meeting, which was jointly chaired by Senators Amir Waliuddin Chishti and Samina Mumtaz Zehri. The meeting focused on Pakistan's burgeoning population and the urgent need for reforms.
Prime Minister's Emphasis on Priority
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that the defence chief, Munir, has been part of meetings he convened on population management. "The government is treating this issue with the highest priority and important policy decisions are being taken at every level," Dawn quoted Sharif as saying. He highlighted that limited contraceptive availability has contributed to high birth rates, and tax exemptions have now been granted on contraceptive products. Pakistan records approximately 6.7 million births annually, and wider access to family planning could reduce annual population growth by about 1.5 million people, according to Sharif.
Demographic Trends and Challenges
Pakistan, currently the fifth most populous country, is projected to surpass Indonesia to become fourth. Its annual population growth rate stands at 2.55 percent, straining vital systems like the economy and health. According to France 24, Pakistan has 258 million inhabitants, and rapid demographic growth far outpaces the country's capacity for socio-economic development and infrastructure expansion. In key social sectors, Pakistan continues to lag behind neighboring India and Bangladesh.
Cultural Barriers to Contraception
Contraception remains largely taboo in a society shaped by strong traditional values, where it is sometimes viewed as religiously forbidden. This cultural resistance poses a significant hurdle to population control efforts. The government's decision to involve the defence chief signals a heightened focus on addressing this crisis through coordinated policy actions.
