Pak Defence Chief takes responsibility of curbing population boom in nation
Islamabad, July 12
Pakistan's Chief of Defence apparently has a new portfolio apart from protecting the cash-strapped nation- controlling its population, Dawn reported.
Measures to control the population since the last three years have apparently not borne results and Pakistan's Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal in a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services and the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights revealed the proposal.
The meeting was jointly chaired by Senators Amir Waliuddin Chishti and Samina Mumtaz Zehri to discuss Pakistan's growing population and the need for reforms.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Munir was a part of the meetings he had 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.
Sharif said one factor contributing to high birth rates had been the limited availability of contraceptives, adding that tax exemptions had now been granted on contraceptive products. He said Pakistan records around 6.7 million births annually and estimated that wider access to family planning could reduce annual population growth by about 1.5 million people, as per Dawn.
Pakistan is the fifth most populous country and is set to become fourth most populous country by surpassing Indonesia. Pakistan's annual population growth rate stands at 2.55 per cent, as per Dawn. This figure has taken a toll on vital systems of the country, be it economy or health.
As per France 24, Pakistan has 258 million inhabitants. This rapid demographic growth is far outpacing the country's capacity for socio-economic development and infrastructure expansion. In several key social sectors, Pakistan continues to lag behind neighbouring India and Bangladesh.
Contraception remains largely taboo in the society shaped by strong traditional values, where it is sometimes viewed as religiously forbidden, as per France 24.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting move by Shehbaz Sharif to involve the military in population control. Few points – contraceptive taboo is real in traditional societies, we saw similar challenges in India decades ago. But giving tax exemptions on contraceptives is a practical step. However, the bigger issue in Pakistan seems to be lack of female education and economic opportunities. When women are educated and have jobs, birth rates naturally fall. Hope their defence chief understands this basic social science.
Pakistan's population problem is a ticking time bomb. 2.55% annual growth with limited resources – their economy, health systems, and infrastructure are already strained. By 2050 they might overtake Indonesia but at what cost? The religious angle is tricky – contraception being seen as forbidden is a mindset issue. India faced similar resistance but our family planning programs, though imperfect, have brought growth rate down significantly. The Defence Chief might bring discipline but real change needs cultural shift. Just saying.
The fact that Pakistan's health minister revealed this in a Senate committee shows how serious it is. But handing it to the Defence Chief? That's an overmilitarisation of a social issue. Countries like Bangladesh and India have proven that community health workers, not soldiers, are the solution. Pakistan needs to learn from its neighbours – invest in midwives, contraceptive awareness campaigns through religious leaders, and girls' education. That will yield better results than any general can achieve. 🌸
Pakistan is the fifth most populous country with 258 million, and their annual birth rate of 6.7 million is staggering. Compare that to India's 1.2 billion with a much lower growth rate – shows what sustained policy focus can achieve. But giving tax breaks on contraceptives is one thing, actually distributing them and changing mindsets is another. The sheer scale of the problem means even a 1.5 million reduction per year is a drop in the ocean. Bold action needed, but Defence Chief overseeing population? That's a
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