Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah held a joint press conference on Thursday to highlight the importance of the newly proposed Premarital & Marital Counselling Bill aimed at improving family health, women’s well-being and social awareness.
Dr Azra said the bill is not merely a health-related initiative but also a major social reform. It will ensure mandatory counselling for couples before marriage registration, guiding them on family planning, reproductive health, mental well-being and mutual communication, she added.
She said counselling would promote birth spacing of two to three years, which is essential for women’s health and reducing high-risk pregnancies. Many women resort to unsafe abortions due to lack of awareness, but widespread counselling can help reduce such cases, she added.
She also said proper family planning helps manage household expenses and improves child care. In Pakistan many women hesitate to discuss family planning with their husbands, but this bill will encourage healthy communication between couples, she added.
She pointed out that counselling would also cover newborn babies’ vaccination, breastfeeding rights and where to access primary healthcare services. She highlighted concerns regarding cousin marriages, which often lead to genetic disorders, including heart defects and Down syndrome.
She clarified that the gender of a child is determined by the man’s chromosome, stressing that women should not be blamed for the birth of a girl. She also warned that multiple C-sections after three deliveries pose serious risks to women, and awareness is crucial. The health department has already launched pilot projects in District South, Karachi, and Tando Allahyar, where couples will receive structured counselling using specially developed training modules, she concluded.
Shah said that this is an essential awareness and public education programme that would help young couples make informed decisions. The government is committed to legislation that directly benefits new families and strengthens society, he added.
He appreciated the media for their role in raising awareness, and urged more coverage of the initiative. He expressed his desire to include Sukkur in the next phase of the programme. He said Sindh has the most empowered LG system in the country, though challenges such as Karachi’s drinking water problems still exist. The chief minister, the city mayor and the local bodies are actively working to improve urban services and living standards, he added.
