IBA Karachi recently hosted the 25th Annual Population Research Conference, a two-day event centered on “Pathways to Sustainable Development.” Organized in collaboration with the Population Association of Pakistan (PAP) and the Population Research Centre (PRC) at the IBA School of Economics and Social Sciences, the conference emphasized fostering partnerships among academics, policymakers, and practitioners to tackle Pakistan’s demographic challenges.
Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, delivered the welcome address during the opening session. Senator (R) Javed Jabbar, Director of the Social Policy and Development Centre, Karachi, presented the keynote speech. Reflecting on the 25-year journey of the PAP, Dr. Nasra Shah, President of the PAP Executive Council, acknowledged its contributions to advancing population research in Pakistan. The conference commenced with a panel titled “Pakistan @ 2050,” moderated by Dr. Asma Hyder, Dean of the School of Economics and Social Sciences at IBA.
The discussion addressed critical challenges such as poverty, urbanization, and climate change. Experts, including Dr. Zeba Sathar, Senior Associate and Pakistan Country Director at the Population Council, and Dr. Heman Das Lohano, Professor of Economics at IBA, examined Pakistan’s demographic trajectory. The panel highlighted rapid urbanization, with projections indicating over half the population will reside in cities by 2050.
Discussions focused on the challenges of urban growth, including the fact that 40% of urban residents currently live in slums, and the pressing need for policies to manage migration, climate change, and other demographic shifts. A spotlight session titled “Data for Development” brought together regional PRC leaders, including Dr. Khadija Malik Bari, Director of IBA-PRC. The session explored the role of data in driving sustainable development, with Dr. Bari emphasizing initiatives like the Young Researchers Workshop Series.
