Population crisis declared national emergency

July 03, 2025 (MLN): Population management has been declared a “matter of national emergency,” with a call for immediate and coordinated national action during a high-level meeting on the issue, said Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal.

“Population planning has far-reaching consequences on all aspects of a citizen’s life health, education, employment,” the minister stated.

He further mentioned that everything depends on the size of the family, as per the press release issued.

Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic challenge, he noted the country is now the fifth most populous nation in the world, with 80% of its population under the age of 40 and 66% below the age of 30.

“These figures are alarming,” he warned, urging provincial and federal governments to work together to address the crisis.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders including Health Minister Mustafa Kemal, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Senator Rubina Khalid, BISP Chairperson, and Senator Sherry Rehman, who joined online.

Also participating were Dr. Zeba Sattar (Population Council), Dr. Luay Shabaneh (UNFPA), Dapeng Lu (WHO), Dr. Samia Rizwan (UNICEF), Dr. Soofia (DG Population), along with representatives from provincial departments and international agencies.

The session was coordinated by Planning Minister’s Member Social Sector Dr. Saima Bashir, who presented a briefing highlighting that 40% of Pakistan’s population has never attended school, and only 25% of women are part of the labor force.

Ahsan Iqbal warned that with a current annual growth rate of 2.55%, Pakistan’s population is projected to exceed 386 million by 2050.

He noted that while population is a provincial subject after the 18th Amendment, its impact on national priorities necessitates coordinated federal oversight.

“Without national coordination and strategic alignment, fragmented efforts will continue to underdeliver,” he emphasized.

He also pointed out that many young people are entering adulthood without access to education, skills training, or jobs.

The minister criticized the existing National Finance Commission (NFC) Award formula, stating that the 82% share to provinces based on population size creates a perverse disincentive.

“Reducing population growth could reduce future fiscal allocations. Without revisiting this formula, provincial commitment to population stabilization will remain weak,” he added.

He directed the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to provide disaggregated data by province, citing the 2023 Digital Census, which showed the population has reached 241.49 million, a rise of 33.82m since 2017.

The Planning Ministry proposed creating a high-powered commission led by the Prime Minister and comprising all four Chief Ministers.

Senator Sherry Rehman supported this idea, warning, “Every 50 minutes, a woman in Pakistan loses her child during childbirth.” She suggested a national emergency could be declared after the commission’s first meeting.

Multiple participants stressed bureaucratic turnover as a key bottleneck, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar highlighted fragmentation post-18th Amendment as a major barrier.

He also pointed to resistance from clerics and suggested targeted campaigns at local marketplaces and utility stores.

With 54m TikTok users, he said social media should be used as a messaging tool.

Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf backed the use of the Council of Common Interests and religious leadership in spreading awareness.

Senator Rubina Khalid urged an awareness campaign led by the Ministry of Information and offered BISP’s support for outreach and counseling.

Dr. Zeba Sattar emphasized the need for institutional strength, not just individual efforts. Dr. Samia Rizwan noted 30 newborn deaths occur every hour, urging deeper government investment.

UNFPA’s Dr. Luay Shabaneh called for better healthcare services and incentive alignment, while the UNDP representative flagged outdated financial incentives as a core issue.

Dr. Aneela Mehfooz Durrani, KP’s Secretary of the Population Welfare Department, cited Bangladesh’s success in incentivizing clergy.

Amenah Kamal from the Planning Ministry stressed the importance of clear, confident messaging on family planning and emphasized not underestimating the population’s intelligence.

Participants also recommended reforms including training male healthcare workers and using PEMRA for long-term media campaigns.

The meeting concluded with agreement on establishing a National Population Commission under the Prime Minister to set targets, ensure accountability, and lead a unified national strategy.

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