MINGORA: Experts here on Monday underlined the need for addressing social and structural barriers to family planning.
Journalists, policy experts, and development practitioners had gathered at the Media Coalition Meeting titled “Population Stabilisation and Resource Allocation: Media’s Role in Promoting Accountability,” organised by the Population Council in collaboration with UNFPA.
The meeting underscored population stabilisation as a central economic and development priority and called for stronger, sustained public investment in family planning and the broader social sectors.
In his opening remarks, Dr Ali Mir, Country Director, Population Council, highlighted the importance of sustained political commitment and adequate financing for population and development priorities.
He stressed that health and education funding are essential investments in the future of the country, while calling for renewed attention to strengthening frontline systems, particularly the Lady Health Worker programme.
Dr Ali Mir underscored the role of culturally grounded approaches, noting that “birth spacing is consistent with Islamic teachings where maternal and child health are concerned.”Presenting key evidence, Ikramul Ahad, Manager Communication, Population Council, highlighted the disconnect between demographic trends and public financing priorities.
He observed that “Pakistan continues to grow at around 2.5 percent annually, yet investment in population welfare remains a very small share of the public budget compared with other countries in the region.” Emphasising accountability, he said that data must be used more effectively to hold duty-bearers accountable to national commitments.
The communication manager noted that family planning was among the most cost-effective public investments, with clear returns for health, economic stability, and human development. Providing a macroeconomic perspective, Ammar Ali Qureshi, senior economic advisor, framed population stabilisation as a strategic imperative.
He noted, “Population stabilisation is not merely a demographic concern. It is a macroeconomic necessity,” adding that the country’s declining economic trajectory reflected the combined pressures of rapid population growth and structural economic challenges.
It was emphasised that education, particularly of girls, and women’s economic participation were decisive levers for reducing fertility and unlocking long-term growth.Participants , representing national and local media outlets, highlighted governance, financing, and service delivery gaps affecting population and development outcomes.
The discussion underscored persistent provincial disparities, limited access to quality health and education services, and the need to address both social and structural barriers, including women’s empowerment and male engagement in family planning.
