President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged awareness of responsible paternity and family planning to address population growth on World Population Day on Friday, administered by the State Pakistan radio reported.
Established by the then Governing Council of the United Nations Development Program in 1989 and observed on July 11 each year, World Population Day seeks to focus attention on urgency and the importance of population problems, including their relations with the environment and development.
The president, in his message to La Nación, said that the challenge of population growth continued to hinder the country’s national development process that required a comprehensive and inclusive approach, administered by the State. Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
“When community leaders, the elderly and civil society organizations promote the benefits of responsible paternity and support access to family planning, social attitudes begin to change. The media also have a central role to play awareness and promote healthy practices, and can significantly influence public behavior,” he said.
The president said that this year’s issue, which was to train young people to create the families who want in a fair and hopeful world, captured the essence of Pakistan’s demographic reality.
“With our population of more than 242 million, the urgency of adopting evidence -based population policies and with a vision of the future has never been greater than it is today. We have a great youth bulk: our greatest strength, if it is feed through access to education, medical care, opportunities and agency.”
Highlighting the pressure of population growth in national resources in the country, health and education infrastructure and public services said that the increase in unemployment, environmental degradation, deforestation and exaggerated health and education systems were the symptoms of the imbalance between population size and available resources.
President Zardari called to expand access to quality family planning services, particularly in rural areas, with an approach to the education and employment of women whom they should receive equal opportunities, since their empowerment directly influences family options.
He also asked the Government to improve its focus on an integral population agenda, guided by the principle of Tawazun (Balance) – Achieve the harmony between population growth and the availability of resources.
“This approach is supported by interested parties in all sectors, including religious leaders, policy formulators and development partners. It reflects our shared commitment to ensure a healthier future, more equitable and efficient in resources.”
He also emphasized the need to adopt international best practices, including the integration of family planning in primary medical care systems, promote reproductive health through community dissemination, deploy female health workers trained at the base level and use media to promote public education and change in behavior.
“Such strategies can help stabilize population growth,” he added.
Pakistan’s youth can become a dynamic force: PM
In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that his government was totally committed to a comprehensive population agend Application.
“These efforts are totally aligned with Pakistan’s commitments under the sustainable development objectives and family planning 2030 Objectives. Population growth stability requires a coherent and multisectoral approach,” he said.
“With a population of 242 million, approximately 65 percent of which are less than 30 years old, Pakistan is at a critical situation in their history. This huge youth population represents an extraordinary opportunity and a significant challenge,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the young population of Pakistan could become a dynamic force that drives innovation, productivity and national development if attention was given to their good education and empowerment.
“However, the management of such a large and growing population also exerts immense pressure on public resources and governance systems,” he added.
He urged all interested parties, including federal and provincial governments, development partners, civil society, private sector, religious leaders and local communities, to fulfill their shared responsibility and commitment to address these population challenges and build a healthier and more prosperous future for Pakistan.
