Islamabad:Journalists, economists and development experts here Monday called for increased public investment in family planning, health and education, warning that rapid population growth is undermining Pakistan's economic prospects and placing growing pressure on public services and development resources.
Speakers at the meeting argued that population continues to grow at around 2.5 percent annually while public investment in population welfare remains significantly lower than that of many countries in the region.
They added that without sustained financing and political commitment, efforts to improve health, education and economic outcomes would face increasing challenges. The call came during a media coalition meeting on population stabilisation and resource allocation organised by the Population Council in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), where participants stressed that slowing population growth should be treated as a national development and economic priority.
The council’s country director said investment in health and education should be viewed as an investment in Pakistan's future rather than a fiscal burden. Presenting data on demographic trends and public spending, the council said population welfare continues to receive only a small share of public sector resources despite its importance for economic stability and human development.
He noted that family planning remains one of the most cost-effective public investments and can contribute significantly to improved maternal and child health, poverty reduction and long-term economic development.
Senior Economic Advisor Ammar Ali Qureshi described population stabilisation as a macroeconomic necessity rather than merely a demographic issue. He argued that Pakistan's economic challenges are being compounded by rapid population growth and structural weaknesses in the economy.
According to Qureshi, improving educational opportunities, particularly for girls, and increasing women's participation in the workforce are among the most effective measures for reducing fertility rates.
The discussion emphasised the need to address social and structural barriers that limit access to family planning services, including inadequate awareness, gender inequality and limited male involvement in reproductive health decisions.
The meeting concluded with a call for protected and increased funding for population, health and education programmes, improved coordination among institutions and greater focus on service delivery.
