Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement released on World Population Day, emphasized the critical need for Pakistan to adopt forward-looking population policies amid rising demographic challenges. With the nation’s population now exceeding 242 million, President Zardari underscored the urgency of addressing the pressures on national resources and public services.
The theme for this year’s World Population Day, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” aligns closely with Pakistan’s demographic challenges. The youth bulge in the country, if properly nurtured, could serve as a significant asset, Zardari noted, highlighting the importance of ensuring access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
President Zardari identified the imbalance between population size and resource availability as a hindrance to national development. The effects are visible in rising unemployment, environmental degradation, and overstressed health and education systems. He called for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to tackle these issues, emphasizing the expansion of quality family planning services, especially in rural regions.
The President stressed the role of women’s education and employment in influencing family choices and advocated for equal opportunities for women. He urged the government to enhance its focus on a comprehensive population agenda, guided by the principle of achieving harmony between population growth and resources.
The involvement of various societal sectors, including religious leaders, policymakers, and development partners, was deemed crucial by Zardari. He also emphasized the importance of community involvement, with leaders and civil society organizations promoting responsible parenthood and family planning.
President Zardari advocated for the adoption of international best practices, such as integrating family planning into primary healthcare, using mass media for public education, and deploying trained female health workers. He called upon government bodies, civil society, academia, and the private sector to strengthen awareness, expand reproductive health services, and prioritize youth empowerment to stabilize population growth.