A two-day national conference on Resilient Pakistan: Calibrating Population and Resources organized by Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan is a welcome step to draw attention towards one of the major but neglected issues faced by the country. Addressing the conference, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial very rightly underlined the importance of a comprehensive strategy to control the rapid increase in the country’s population.
At present, the country’s population has been increasing at an alarming rate of 1.9 percent, more than two times of the global annual rate of 0.8 percent. According to the preliminary results of the latest digital census, the country’s population stands at 249.566 million and there are estimates that it would touch the 300 million mark by 2030. This high and unchecked population growth places immense strain on the country’s resources, infrastructure and economy. Muslim countries with much larger populations have successfully managed to exert control over their birth rates and are firmly on the path towards greater economic and social development. A prime example of this is seen in Indonesia and Bangladesh. What is particularly perplexing is that Indonesia actually borrowed our population policy from 1953 and implemented it with utmost dedication. Indonesia’s first strategic move was to enlist the support of clerics through Friday sermons, a highly effective approach also utilized in the Middle East and Gulf States. By involving religious leaders, the state can effectively raise awareness about the challenges posed by overpopulation and instil the principles of Islam, emphasizing the importance of accountability in caring for children, ensuring their well-being and promoting their proper growth. Then we must strive to ensure the people have access to family planning services such as contraceptives, accompanied by quality maternal healthcare services. The focus should also be on equipping the youth with the right kind of skills, promoting economic opportunities as well as provision of better healthcare facilities to the public. By pursuing such a strategy, we can achieve sustainable population growth and create a resilient society.
